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| RAAF No. 100 Squadron Former Assignments No. 1 Squadron |
Pilot FLTLT Harry John Fowler, 415636 (MIA / KIA, BR) Cottesloe, WA Crew FLTLT Francis Owen Smith, 422062 (MIA / KIA, BR) Kempsey, NSW Crew FLTLT John William Shipman, 422085 (MIA / KIA, BR) Bexley, NSW Crew FLGOFF Arthur Geoffrey Waite, 406817 (MIA / KIA, BR) Bullsbrook, WA Crashed March 13, 1945 Aircraft History Built by the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Beaufort Mark VIII serial number A9-650. Wartime History Assigned to 1 Squadron. Next, assigned to No. 100 Squadron with code QH-? (single letter unknown). No known nickname. nose art or squadron code. Mission History On March 13, 1945 took off Tadji Airfield piloted by FLTLT Harry J. Fowler on a bombing mission against Maprik. Over the target while releasing their bomb load, a faulty fuse prematurely detonated a bomb under the plane and caused it to crash near Maprik with the entire crew killed by the explosion or on impact. Recovery of Remains After the crash, the remains of the crew were recovered. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. The entire crew is buried at Lae War Cemetery. Shipman and Fowler are buried in joint grave NN. B. 2-3. Owen is buried at KK. C. 13. Waite at KK. C. 12. References Previously, the same crew survived the crash landing of Beaufort A9-557 on January 20, 1945 at Tadji Airfield. ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-650 NAA Operations Record Book (ORB) Number 100 Squadron - March 13, 1945 (NAA: A9186, 123 page 423) (Page 423) "13 [March 1945] Loss of aircraft A9-650 F/Lt Fowler and crew." CWGC - Harry John Fowler CWGC - Francis Owen Smith CWGC - John William Shipman CWGC - Arthur Geoffrey Waite Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated February 14, 2024 |
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