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  DAP Beaufort Mark VIII Serial Number A9-667  
RAAF
No. 100 Squadron

Pilot  FLTLT Ian Harris Fielding, 409038 (MIA / KIA) Mentone, VIC
Observer  FLGOFF Robert John Fletcher, 428699 (MIA / KIA) Sydney, NSW
WAG  FLGOFF Ernest Richard Negus, 422872 (MIA / KIA) West Leederville, WA
WAG  FLTSGT Robert Lambert, 442351 (MIA / KIA) Glenelg, SA
Passenger  FLGOFF Graham Vass Manger, 401984 (MIA / KIA)
MIA  April 2, 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 A9-667.

Wartime History
Assigned to No. 100 Squadron with code QH-? (single letter unknown). No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On April 2, 1945 took off from Tadji Airfield piloted by FLTLT Ian H. Fielding on a bombing mission against enemy positions south of the Torrecelli Mountains. Shortly after takeoff, collided mid-air with Beaufort A9-493. Both Beauforts crashed into the sea, exploded into a sheet of flames, killing everyone aboard both bombers.

Search
Australian Army units immediately sent four boats to the scene of the crash. When they arrived, the fire had ceased and debris was found in the water, but there were no sign of any survivors.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized in Lae War Cemetery at Lae Memorial, Fielding, Fletcher, Negus and Manger on panel 6. Lambert on panel 7.

References
RAAF Searcher Team - Beaufort A9-493
ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-667
CWGC - Ian Harris Fielding
CWGC - Robert John Fletcher
CWGC - Ernest Richard Negus
CWGC - Robert Lambert
CWGC - Graham Vass Manger
Doc's War New Guinea - The Final Campaign (2015) by Tom McSweeny page 167
"While at lunch today looking out across the ocean I saw two Beaufort bombers collide in mid-air, fall apart into the water and burst into flames. It happened about 8 miles out to sea but the wall of flame was easily visible and must have been 30 feet high. Rescue craft were on the scene in 10 minutes but they found nothing but a little charred wreckage. A sad loss of at least 8 good Australians [sic nine died aboard both bombers]. They had just been out bombing the Japs and were approaching Tadji Drome from the sea [sic, collision after take off]."

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Last Updated
February 14, 2024

Tech Info
Beaufort

MIA
MIA
4 Missing
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