|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| RAAF No. 77 Squadron |
Pilot F/L Daryl Maxwell Sproule, 250641 C. O. 77 Sqn (POW, executed Aug 16, 1943, BR) Sandy Bay, Tas Force Landed August 2, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 21806. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40K-15-CU Kittyhawk serial number 42-10422. Disassembled and shipped to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History During February 1943 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as P-40K Kittyhawk serial number A29-201. Assigned to 13 ARD. Assigned to No. 77 Squadron. No known nickname or markings. Mission History On August 2, 1943 took off from Vivigani Airfield piloted by F/L Daryl Maxwell Sproule (C.O. No. 77 Squadron) as one of eighteen P-40s escorting Beaufighters and Bostsons on a strike against Gasmata Airfield. Returning, the P-40s attacked Japanese barges. This aircraft was believed to be hit shrapnel from its own bomb and damaged then force landed on the beach. Fate of the Pilot Sproule was captured and became a Prisoner Of War (POW) and was detained at Gasmata. He was executed on or around August 16, 1943. Recovery of Remains Postwar, the remains of Sproule were recovered. Memorials Sproule was officially declared dead on August 16, 1943. After his remains were recovered, Sproule was buried at Lae War Cemetery at T. C. 8. Awards Sproule earned the DFC. On February 5, 2019 he earned the Commendation for Gallantry with a citation "For acts of gallantry in action following his capture by the Imperial Japanese Navy and until his execution as a result of an escape attempt around the middle of August 1943." References NAA RAAF Personnel File - Sproule Daryl Maxwell: Service Number 250641 (NAA: A9300, SPROULE D M) NAA Sproule Daryl Maxwell Casualty Repatriation, Aircraft Kittyhawk A29-201 (NAA: A705, 166/38/216) USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40K-15-CU Warhawk 42-10422 "10422 to RAAF as A29-201 Feb 1943. Lost on operations near Vivigani Aug 1943." ADF Serials - Kittyhawk A29-201 CWGC - Daryl Maxwell Sproule FindAGrave - Squadron Leader Daryl Maxwell Sproule (photo, grave photo) Australian Government Honours - Daryl Maxwell Sproule Commendation for Gallantry, 5 February 2019 Thanks to Daniel Leahy 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 August 16, 2022 |
 P-40  POW Executed |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
