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  Lockheed Hudson Mark IIIA Serial Number A16-165  
RAAF
No. 32 Squadron

Former Assignments
2 AD
No. 23 Squadron

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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

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Last Updated
December 12, 2023

Tech Info
Hudson

MIA
MIA
4 Missing
Resolved

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Wright Dataplate

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