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| RAAF No. 32 Squadron  Justin Taylan 2003 |
Pilot P/O Warren Frank Cowan,
407614 (KIA, BR) Angaston, SA Crew Sgt Russell Bradburn Polack, 411183 (KIA, BR) Earlwood, NSW Crew Sgt Lauri Edwin Sheard, 416369 (KIA, BR) Port Elliott, SA Crew P/O David Reid Taylor, 408206 (KIA, BR) Prahran, VIC Crashed July 22, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 414-6468. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-29-LO Hudson serial number 41-36979. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number FH178. Disassembled and shipped overseas to to Australia as part of defense aid. Wartime History On April 5, 1942 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Hudson Mark IIIa serial number A16-201 and reassembled by 1 Air Depot (1 AD). Assigned to No. 32 Squadron. No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On July 22, 1942 at 11:30am took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by P/O Warren F. Cowan on a solo reconnaissance mission to shadow an enemy cruiser force north of Buna. Over the target area, this Hudson failed to locate the warships. At 1:30pm, the last radio communication was received from this bomber. No sighting or any distress call was ever received. When this Hudson failed to return it was declared Missing In Action (MIA). This Hudson was officially stricken from charge July 31, 1942. In fact, this Hudson was intercepted by six A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) that took off from Lae Airfield at 2:00pm. The six Zeros flying in two shotai of three planes each: 1st Shotai Lt(jg) Jun'ichi Sasai, FPO1c Toshio Ota and FPO3c Masuaki Endo plus 2nd Shotai FPO1 Saburo Sakai, FPO2c Masayoshi Yonekawa and FPO3c Yoshio Mogi. Around 2:45pm the six Zeros arrived over Buna and spotted a single twin engined aircraft, this Hudson. They released their drop tanks and climbed to intercept. Attacking from the rear, the Zeros systematically attacked one at a time. To their disbelief, the bomber turned into their attacks to dogfight with them each time. Although the maneuver was unexpected and brave, the Hudson lost altitude with each turn and became damaged and was claimed as shot down and crashed into a forested area near Popondetta. Attacking pilot Saburo Sakai never forgot the incident or the bravery of the pilot and wrote about the incident in his memoirs Oozora No Samurai and Samurai! During 1998, Saburo Sakai wrote a letter to the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs, recommending Cowan for a medal, stating: "I recommend that Pilot Officer Warren F. Cowan be posthumously awarded your country's highest commendation. I have encountered many brave pilots in my life but Warren F. Cowan stands alone." The request was rejected on procedural grounds. Wreckage This Hudson crashed into a forest near Popondetta. On February 28, 1943 the crash site was found by Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU). Recovery of Remains On February 28, 1943 the remains of the crew were recovered by Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) and buried at Soputa War Cemetery. Later, disinterred and transported to Port Moresby for permanent burial. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead on July 22, 1942. All are buried at Bomana War Cemetery at collective grave B7, E, 21-24. Cowan's grave has the epitaph: "Greater Love Hath No Man". Relatives Betty Shillabeer (Cowan's widow) Blair Cowan (Cowan's son) Libby Buchanan (Cowan's daughter) Jim Cowan (Cowan's brother) References WW2 Nominal Roll - Warren Frank Cowan, 407614 WW2 Nominal Roll - Russell Bradburn Polack, 411183 WW2 Nominal Roll - Lauri Edwin Sheard, 416369 WW2 Nominal Roll - David Reid Taylor, 408206 USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-29-LO Hudson 41-36979 "36979 (MSN 414-6468) to RAF as FH178 then to Australia as A16-201. MIA in Huon Gulf Jul 24, 1942." RAAF Casualty File (NAA: A705, 163/26/243) Warren Frank Cowan ADF Serials - Hudson A16-201 CWGC - Warren Frank Cowan CWGC - Russell Bradburn Polack CWGC - Lauri Edwin Sheard CWGC - David Reid Taylor Samurai! by Saburo Sakai describes the shoot down of this bomber and brave actions of the pilot Panorama "Zero ace honours his foes" by Bob Piper February 14, 1998 Combat Aircraft "One Against Nine Over Buna" by Henry Sakaida June-July 1988 ABC "Australian Story - Enemy Lines" July 1, 2002 tells the story of this aircraft including interviews with Cowan relatives, Henry Sakaida David Vincent and Robert Piper ABC "Australian Story - Enemy Lines" July 1, 2002 - Transcript via WayBack Machine March 1, 2017 Eagles of the Southern Sky (2012) pages 7 dedication, 208-209, 240 (artwork), 298 (artwork profile) 277, 326, 336 "crashed into jungle near Popoga", 342, 348 index listings Thanks to Saburo Sakai, Henry Sakaida, David Vincent and Robert Piper 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 September 27, 2024 |
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