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| RAAF No. 2 Squadron Former Assignments 1 AD No. 32 Squadron 3 AD 1 RSU No. 13 Squadron |
Pilot F/Lt John Frederick Mason, 252763 (KIA, BR) Black Forest, SA Co-Pilot F/Lt John Richard Wood, 280849 (KIA, BR) Kings Park, SA Crew F/O Thomas Wallace Swann, 411403 (KIA, BR) Wedderburn, NSW Crew F/Sgt Raymond James Flaherty, 416180 (KIA, BR) Woodville Gardens, SA Crew F/Sgt Robert Donald Woods, 404747 (KIA, BR) Toowoomba, QLD Crew Sgt George Ridgway Rowland, 409745 (KIA, BR) St. Kilda, VIC Crew F/O Louis George Knauer, 405180 (KIA, BR) Brisbane, QLD Crashed June 12, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 6342. On December 24, 1941 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-29-LO serial number 41-23525. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number BW663. Disassembled and shipped overseas as part of Defense Aid consignment to Australia on January 22, 1942. On March 29, 1942 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Hudson A16-186. Reassembled by 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On April 27, 1942 assigned to No. 32 Squadron. On June 8, 1942 assigned to 3 Air Depot (3 AD). On June 30, 1942 returned to No. 32 Squadron. On July 20, 1942 assigned to 3 Air Depot (3 AD) and painted with black lower surfaces for night operations. On August 6, 1942 returned to No. 32 Squadron. On September 14, 1942 assigned to 5 Air Depot (5 AD). On November 27, 1942 returned to No. 32 Squadron. Then to 1 AD on December 9, 1942 and to 13 Squadron on December 23, 1942, after to 1 RSU on February 6, 1943 then back to 13 Squadron on March 28, 1943 Finally, assigned to 2 Squadron on April 4, 1943. Mission History On June 12, 1943 took off from Hughes Field piloted by F/Lt John Frederick Mason on a test flight. Returning at 8:23am, this Hudson experienced engine problems and attempted to return to Hughes Field. At 500' with the landing gear extended over the threshold of the runway and the left propeller feathered. The pilot raised the undercarriage and applied power to starboard engine, but the aircraft pulled to port and begun to loose height and crashed one mile northeast of the runway. During the crash, the entire crew was killed and the Hudson was destroyed in the ensuing fire. Wreckage On June 14, 1942 allocated to 4 Repair Salvage Unit (4 RSU). On June 23, 1943 officially stricken from charge. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. The crew were buried at Adelaide River War Cemetery. Mason at R. D. 12. Wood at R.D.11. Swann at R.D.13. Flaherty at R.D.14. Woods at F.A.1. Rowland at R.D.16. Knauer at R.D.15. References CWGC - John Frederick Mason CWGC - John Richard Wood CWGC - Thomas Wallace Swann CWGC - Raymond James Flaherty CWGC - Robert Donald Woods CWGC - George Ridgway Rowland CWGC - Louis George Knauer ADF Serials - Hudson A16-186 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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