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| RAAF No. 32 Squadron Former Assignments 2 AD No. 23 Squadron    Mark Reichman 2007 |
Pilot F/Lt Kenneth James Erwin, 261863 (MIA / KIA) Leichhardt, NSW Crew P/O Eric Lyle McLauchlan, 405644 (MIA / KIA) Northgate, QLD Crew Sgt James Watt Simpson, 400570 (MIA / KIA) Albert Park, VIC Crew Sgt Ian Munro Barwick, 5810 (MIA / KIA) Parramatta, NSW Crashed March 4, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructor Number 6094. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-29-LO Hudson serial number 41-23277. Disassembled and shipped to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History On September 27, 1941 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Hudson Mark IIIa serial number A16-165. On January 8, 1942 assigned to 2 Air Depot (2AD). On January 24, 1942 assigned to No. 23 Squadron. Next, on February 23, 1942. assigned to No. 32 Squadron. Mission History On March 3, 1942 at 8:30pm took off from 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by F/Lt Kenneth J. Erwin on a night bombing mission over Gasmata Airfield on New Britain. On March 4, 1942 around midnight reached the target area and crashed onto Urai Island off Gasmata. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was Hudson A16-101 (MIA). Afterwards, the loss of this Hudson was attributed to a tropical storm but in fact had reached the target. Wreckage During 1946, a RAAF Searcher Team led by S/L Keith Rundle located the wreckage of this Hudson on Urai Island near Gasmata and recovered the remains of the crew. On May 6, 2007, Mark Reichman visited the wreck site of a Hudson on Avurai Island. Based on the type of engine - GR1820-G205A - the wreck was determined to be a Hudson Mark III, and most likely the wreck of A16-165. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. After the recovery of remains, the entire crew was buried at Bita Paka War Cemetery. Erwin at H. B. 16. McLauchlan at F. C. 10. Simpson at F. C. 9. Barwick at F. C. 8. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-29-LO Hudson 41-23277 "23277 (BW415) to Australia as A16-165. MIA Gasmata Mar 3, 1942 while with 32 Sqdn." ADF Serials - Hudson A16-165 CWGC - Kenneth James Erwin CWGC - Eric Lyle McLauchlan CWGC - James Watt Simpson CWGC - Ian Munro Barwick Thanks to Mark Reichman and Daniel Leahy for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 12, 2023 |
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