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| RNZAF 1 Bomber OTU Former Assignments 1 GR Squadron |
Pilot Flight Sergeant William Marshall, 42436 (MIA / KIA) Co-Pilot Pilot Officer Harold Hayward Beard, 422076 (MIA / KIA) Kimbolton, Manawatu Crew Sergeant William James Plant, 424515 (MIA / KIA) Grey Lynn, Auckland Crew Flight Sergeant John Francis Aubrey, 413241 (MIA / KIA) Silverdale, North Auckland Crew Sergeant Brian Barry McSweeney, 431020 (MIA / KIA) Ngatapa, East Cape Crashed August 24, 1943 at 11:30am Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 3857. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number AE502 as part of British purchasing mission contract. Disassembled and loaded aboard Manuel as cargo and shipped across the Pacific to New Zealand. On October 29, 1941 reassembled at No.1 Aircraft Depot Hobsonville Airfield. Next, assigned to No.1 GR Squadron Whenuapai Airfield. On July 27, 1943 assigned to No.1 Bomber Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Ohakea Airfield. Mission History On August 24, 1943 took off from Ohakea Airfield pilot Flight Sergeant William Marshall on a training mission. During the mission, this Hudson tried to avoid a collision with another aircraft participating in the same exercise and during a steep turn entered a spin and crashed into the sea after evasive maneuvers three miles off the mouth of the Rangitikei River. All the crew of five were killed in the crash. On October 19, 1943 officially written off at Ohakea Airfield. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized on the Auckland Provincial Memorial at Auckland (Waikumete) Cemetery. Wreckage During late April 2004, a fisherman from Guards Fisheries on the western coast of New Zealand's North Island hauled up an engine from this bomber. The propeller blades still rotated. References CWGC - William Marshall CWGC - Harold Hayward Beard CWGC - William James Plant CWGC - John Francis Aubrey CWGC - Brian Barry McSweeney ADF Serials - Hudson NZ2034 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated June 18, 2024 |
 Hudson  MIA 5 Missing |
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