Pacific Wrecks

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

Brewster Buffalo Mark I Serial Number W8225

RAF
453 Squadron, RAAF

Pilot Sgt Ronald Reginald Oerlich, RAAF 402875 (MIA / KIA)
Crashed December 13, 1941

Aircraft History
Built by Brewster as model 339E. Constructors Number 241. An RAF aircraft in service with a RAAF unit.

Mission History
Shot down near Butterworth Airfield, Malaya.

Memorials
P/O Oerlich was buried at Butterworth Airfield, though post-war searches for his remains were unsuccessful. He is now commemorated on Column 412 of the Singapore Memorial at the Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore.

References
ADF Serials - Buffalo W8225
RAAF DB - Ronald Reginald Oerlich

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
March 7, 2023

Buffalo

Interviews & Oral Histories