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| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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| RAAF 2 Squadron Former Assignments 1 AD 5 AD 3 AD 6 Squadron |
Pilot S/Ldr John Leonard Scott, 290602 (POW, executed, BR) Lawley, WA Crew F/Sgt Robert Ian Maxwell King, 427122 (POW, executed, recovered) South Perth, WA Crew F/Sgt Bruce Erskdale Wallace, 410763 (POW, executed, recovered) Bendigo, VIC Crew F/Sgt Keith Charles Wright, 434064 (POW, executed, recovered) Kangaroo Point, QLD Crew P/O Donald Cosmo Beddoe, 401731 (POW, executed May 24, 1944 MIA) Brunswick, Victoria Crashed March 27, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 6491. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as RA-29 serial number 41-37002. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number FH201. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia part of Defense Aid consignment. Wartime History On May 23, 1942 Assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Hudson A16-230 and reassembled by 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On June 3, 1942 assigned to 5 Air Depot (5 AD). Next, assigned to No. 6 Squadron July 28, 1942 and then to 3 Air Depot (3 AD) on October 15, 1942. This Hudson went back to 5 Air Depot (5 AD) on November 5 and 1 Air Depot (1 AD) on December 8 then finally December 15, 1942 back to No. 6 Squadron. On January 17, 1943 damaged during Japanese air raid. Afterwards, repaired by 12 Repair Salvage Unit (12 RSU) on February 1, 1943. On February 3, 1943 to 5 Air Depot (5 AD). On March 15, 1943 returned to No. 6 Squadron. Next, to 3 Air Depot (3 AD) on April 6 then to 2 Squadron on April 12. Nicknamed "Jake". On April 21, 1943 took off on an armed reconnaissance mission over Dobo. The crew included F/O R R James, 406811, Sgt R. D. Ryan, 404989, Sgt K. G. Keech, 8968, F/O McCullough and Sgt P. S. Reen, 412185. During the mission, turret gunner F/O McCullough was wounded by a single .30 caliber bullet. Afterwards, landed at Coomalie Creek Airfield. On April 24, 1943 took off on a mission with the same crew: The crew included F/O R R James, 406811, Sgt R. D. Ryan, 404989, Sgt K. G. Keech, 8968 and Sgt P. S. Reen, 412185. During the mission, hit by machine gun fire in the right engine no. 2 cylinder. Loosing altitude, the crew jettison guns and ammunition on the flight back to Darwin. When throwing away one of the Vicker K guns, it accidentally fired hitting the right airscrew putting it into fine pitch. On June 9, 1943 assigned to 4 Repair Salvage Unit (4 RSU). On June 22, 1943 returned to No. 2 Squadron. On September 6, 1943 back to 4 RSU. Next, on September 26, 1943, returned to No. 2 Squadron. On November 29, 1943 back to 4 RSU. On December 23, 1943 returned to No. 2 Squadron. Again assigned to 4 RSU on February 7, 1944 and back to No. 2 Squadron on March 19, 1944. Mission History On March 27, 1944 took off from Hughes Airfield piloted by S/Ldr John Leonard Scott on an "operational reconnaissance of islands in the Banda Sea". During the mission, this Hudson was shot down and ditched into the sea. When this Hudson failed to return, the entire crew was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Officially, this Hudson was stricken off charge on April 12, 1944. Fates of the Crew The entire crew survived, deployed their life raft and reached Dai Island then proceeded to Loeang Island and were cared for by locals. Two months later, the crew was betrayed and captured by the Japanese and transferred under guard to Saumalaki and Babar Island. On May 24, 1944 while being transported aboard a Japanese barge Beddoe attempted to wave to a B-25 Mitchell from the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) from 18 Squadron. Spotted by the Japanese, Beddoe was shot by one of the guards. Likely, his body was thrown overboard. The four other crew members were transported to Tantoei POW Camp on Ambon and became Prisoners Of War (POW). On August 18, 1944 all taken to Galala Crematory were the crew were executed by order of 1st Sub Lt. Katayama, HQ 4 South Dispatched Fleet from the Imperial Japanese Navy. Lt. Katayama personally executed Scott. 2nd Sub Lt Toyoji Takahashi executed F/Sgt Wallace. 2nd Sub Lt Takashi Nishida and Petty Officer Yoshizaki executed F/Sgt K Wright and F/Sgt R King. Afterwards, they were buried on Ambon. Recovery of Remains Postwar, the bodies of the four executed crew members were located and exhumed. All four were transported to Australia for permanent burial. War Crimes Trial The Australian Army located the four responsible Japanese officers: 1st Sub Lt. Katayama, 2nd Sub Lt Toyoji Takahashi, 2nd Sub Lt Takashi Nishida and Petty Officer Yoshizaki were put on trial, convicted and executed for their role in the execution of this crew. Memorials Donald Cosmo Beddoe was officially declared dead on May 24, 1944 and remains listed as Missing In Action (MIA). He is memorialized on the Northern Territory Memorial, panel 6 at Adelaide River War Cemetery. After the recovery of remains, the other four crew members were buried at Ambon War Cemetery. Scott at 21. C. 9. King at 21. C. 8. Wallace at 21. C. 7. and Wright at 21. C. 6. References CWGC - John Leonard Scott CWGC - Robert Ian Maxwell King CWGC - Bruce Erskdale Wallace CWGC - Keith Charles Wright CWGC - Donald Cosmo Beddoe ADF Serials - Hudson A16-230 Blood Oath / Prisoners of the Sun was based on the story of this air crew 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 1 Missing |
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