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| RAAF 2 Squadron Former Assignments 2 AD 23 Squadron 32 Squadron 5 AD 1 AD 1 RSU |
Pilot S/Ldr Malcolm C. Burns, 271331 (MIA / KIA, BR) Brisbane, QLD Gunnery Leader P/O Leslie R. Jope, 400434 (MIA / KIA, BR) Croydon, VIC Navigator Sgt Alan Arthur Dean, 404328 (MIA / KIA, BR) Townsville, QLD WAG Sgt Kelvin Jones, 410240 (MIA / KIA, BR) Footscray, VIC WAG Sgt Robert James Johnstone, 410073 (MIA / KIA, BR) Sandringham, VIC Crashed April 3, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 6098. On September 27, 1941 assigned to the USAAF as A-29-LO serial number 41-23281. Disassembled and shipped overseas as part of defense aid consignment departing November 4, 1941. Wartime History On January 8, 1942 delivered to the RAAF (RAAF) as Hudson Mark IIIa serial number A16-169. On January 19, 1942 assigned to 2 Air Depot (2 AD) then to 23 Squadron on January 22, 1942 then the next day assigned to 32 Squadron. On March 22, 1942 at 7:34am took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby on a reconnaissance mission over Lae Airfield with Hudson A16-134. Over the target both Hudsons were attacked by A6M2 pilot Yamazaki and A6M2 pilot Kikuchii and both Zeros were hit by defensive machine gun fire and crash. On April 6, 1942 assigned to 5 Air Depot (5 AD) then to No. 32 Squadron on August 27, 1942. On December 9, 1942 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD) then to 32 Squadron on December 23, 1942. Issued to 2 Squadron from 1 Repair Salvage Unit (1 RSU) on February 20, 1943. Assigned to 2 Squadron on April 2, 1943. Mission History On April 3, 1943 took off from Millingimbi Airfield piloted by S/Ldr Malcolm C. Burns as one of six Hudsons on a low level bombing mission against Timoeka Airfield. The formation was comprised of a three ship "A" Flight led by Hudson A16-238 piloted by F/O Harold McDouall and a three ship "B" Flight was led S/Ldr Burns in this aircraft. The other Hudsons in the formation were: A16-160, A16-161, A16-217, A16-236. Over the target, the Hudsons dropped their bombs and made low level strafing runs over Timoeka Airfield. This Hudson was the fourth to strafe. Over the runway flying at 200', this Hudson was seen to have a red flash on the port side of the fuselage, pulled up, turned to the right and was seen in controlled flight then a few seconds later was seen to dive and crashed into the ground with the right wing impacting first. Although no fire was observed, the entire crew was presumed to have died on impact. When this aircraft failed to return, the entire crew was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). This Hudson was stricken off charge April 23, 1943. Wreckage This Hudson crashed at the northeast end of the runway at Timoeka Airfield near Keakwa (Keawkwa). According to local people, this plane was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and after impact did not burn. After the crash, the wreckage was scrapped by the Japanese or local people. On October 4, 1946, RAAF supply vessel No. 0616 (06-16) anchored at the mouth of the Keaukwa River near Keaukwa on the southern coast of New Guinea. A RAAF Searcher Team led by F/Lt Martin O'Shea was led to the crash site but found little aside for a few engine parts. Although impossible to identify the aircraft, it was believed to be Hudson A16-169 based on the location and the fact it was the only aircraft wreck in the vicinity. Recovery of Remains According to natives, the remains of the crew were left at the crash site for years and were not collected and buried until the end of the war when the Japanese collected them and possibly cremated them before burial in a single grave near the crash site. An elaborate grave marker was built in hopes of impressing the Allies. This grave was exhumed on October 4, 1946 by the RAAF Searcher Team and the the fractured, disintegrated and incomplete remains of several individuals were recovered. The recovered remains were transported to Ambon. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the crash. After the crew's remains were recovered, they were buried at Ambon War Cemetery in collective grave 3. C. 11-15. References ADF Serials - Hudson A16-169 RICHARDS Ronald Charles - (Sergeant); Service Number - 403281; File type - Casualty - Repatriation; Aircraft - Hudson A16-169; Place - Papua New Guinea; Date - 22 March 1942 (NAA: A705, 163/157/141) BURNS, Malcolm Carroll - (Squadron Leader); Service Number - 271331; File type - Casualty - Repatriation; Aircraft - Hudson A16-169; Place - Timoeka, New Guinea; Date - 3 April 1943 (NAA: A705, 166/6/84) JONES, Kelvin - (Sergeant); Service Number - 410240; File type - Casualty - Repatriation; Aircraft - Hudson A16-169; Place - Keakwa, Netherlands East Indies; Date - 3 April 1943 (NAA: A705, 166/21/19) JOHNSTONE, Robert James - (Sergeant); Service Number - 410073; File type - Casualty - Repatriation; Aircraft - Hudson A16-169; Place - timoeka, New Guinea; Date - 3 April 1943 (NAA: A705, 166/21/21) JOPE, Leslie Richard - (Pilot Officer); Service Number - 400434; File type - Casualty - Repatriation; Aircraft - Hudson A16-169; Place - Timoeka, New Guinea; Date - 3 April 1943 (NAA: A705, 166/21/20 Extract "Search For Missing Personnel - D.N.G. Area" 11 Oct. 1946 The West Australian “Reported Missing Fate of Allied Airmen" November 23, 1946 "Search in New Guinea – Flight-Lieut. O'Shea then took his searchers east along the New Guinea coast to Keaukwa River which they navigated to Kokenau to interview the Dutch district officer. They found this man, who was only 22, delirious with malaria, and stayed two days until he recovered. One aircraft, a Hudson, and the crew were found here [Hudson A16-169]. Flight-Lieut. O'Shea said the natives here were very primitive and were completely naked. Some of them were reformed head hunters." Highest Traditions The History of No. 2 Squadron, RAAF (1995) page 179 CWGC - Malcolm Carrol Burns CWGC - Leslie Richard Jope CWGC - Kelvin Jones CWGC - Robert James Johnstone CWGC - Alan Arthur Dean FindAGrave - Squadron Leader Malcolm Carrol Burns (Ambon Cemetery) FindAGrave - Leslie R. Jope (Ambon Cemetery) FindAGrave - Flight Sergeant Alan Arthur Dean (Ambon Cemetery) FindAGrave - Sergeant Kelvin K Jones (Ambon Cemetery) FindAGrave - Robert James Johnstone (Ambon Cemetery grave photo) Thanks to 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 |
 Hudson  MIA 5 Missing Resolved |
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