Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed. Constructors Number 6353. On December 28, 1941 assigned to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as RA-29 Hudson serial number 41-23536. Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number BW674. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia as part of defense aid consignment.

Wartime History
On March 23, 1942 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On April 20, 1942 assigned to 2 Squadron.

During 1942, took off piloted by F/O Hays with P/O Carter and WAG Sgt Webster aboard on a reconnaissance mission with two other Hudsons. Within five miles from Penfoei on West Timor sighted a large vessel estimated to be 3-4,000 tons tied up to the wharf at Koepang. Two Zeros approached this Hudson and one made a feint attack and the other was fired on by belly gunner Sgt Webster gunner who fired two bursts and causing the Zero to smoke, bank sharply and dive away before the pilot bailed out. The Zero crashed in flames into the sea. Afterwards, this Hudson managed to escape into a cloud and returned safely but had sustained some damage.

On July 20, 1942 assigned to 5 Air Depot (5 AD) and then returned to 2 Squadron on August 8, 1942. On November 12, 1942 assigned to 1 Repair Salvage Unit (1 RSU) then returned to 2 Squadron on December 7, 1942. Then again on January 13, 1943 returned to 1 RSU and back to 2 Squadron on February 4, 1943.

On March 16, 1943 during take off from Hughes Airfield piloted by P/O T J Newham, 400818 with S/Ldr S. Austin aboard with supplies aboard bound for Millingimbi Airfield, this Hudson suffered an undercarriage collapsed and was damaged. Neither of the crew were hurt in the accident.

On April 8, 1943 assigned to 1 RSU then back to 2 Squadron on April 25, 1943, but back to 1 RSU for further repairs two days later. Finally returned to 2 Squadron on May 8, 1943 and then to 4 RSU on May 19, 1943 before returning to 2 Squadron on May 29, 1943 and back to 4 RSU on June 21, 1943 and returned to 2 Squadron on July 3, 1943.

Mission History
On August 15, 1943 took off from Millingimbi Airfield on Mission HUG.32 with Hudson A16-233 to search for enemy shipping off Keaukwa on the southern coast of New Guinea. No communication was heard from this aircraft. When Hudson A16-181 failed to return, it was declared Missing In Action (MIA) as a result of enemy action. Officially, this Hudson was stricken from charge on August 24, 1943.

Over the target, the other aircraft Hudson A16-233 spotted an enemy vessel, bombed from 6,500' and was intercepted by two Zeros from Timoeka Airfield were sighted over Keaukwa. This Hudson but managed to evade them and returned to base safely.

Memorials
The entre crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are commemorated on the Lae Memorial at Lae War Cemetery. Lamb, McLean, Ikin, Jackson and Wise on panel 7.

References
CWGC - John Bruce Lamb
CWGC - Niel Douglas McLean
CWGC - Maxwell Hedley Jackson
CWGC - Trevor Watson Wise
CWGC - Clyde Albert Ikin
ADF Serials - Hudson A16-181
RAAFDB - Hudson A16-181

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Last Updated
June 29, 2019