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| RAAF No. 75 Squadron    Justin Taylan 2003  Charlie Wintawa 2014 |
Pilot P/O Oswald John Channon, 411286 (KIA, BR) Wyalong, NSW Crashed April 24, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40E Warhawk serial number 41-5549. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History During March 1942 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as P-40E Kittyhawk serial number A29-43. On March 18, 1942 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD) with engine serial number 36054. On April 5, 1942 assigned to No. 75 Squadron with tail code P. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On April 24, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome pilot P/O Oswald J. Channon on a patrol mission over Port Moresby. During the patrol, intercepted A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group). This P-40 was shot down near Porebada to the west of Port Moresby. Last observed by Tucker, who thought he might have been shot down during a turn, and smoke was seen rising from near Porebada. Recovery of Remains After the crash, his remains were recovered and buried at Hanubada Cemetery. Later, permanently buried at Bomana War Cemetery. Memorials Channon was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at Bomana War Cemetery at B2. C. 26 the grave reads: "411286 Pilot Officer O. J. Channon Royal Australian Air Force 24th April 1942 age 24 greater love". He also has a memorial marker on his parent's grave in Manly Cemetery, Manly, NSW at section CC, plot 035. The grave has a memorial marker epitaph that reads: "Also Pilot Officer Oswald J. Channon a loved only son and bother Killed In Action at Port Moresby 24-4-42. Age 24. How can a man die better than facing fearful odds for the honor of his country and the glory of his gods." During 1942, a memory lane sign created by RAAF Toc H Group in Port Moresby. The sign read: "Memory Lane: In memory of R.A.A.F personnel who have flown to a higher level 'Per ardua ad astra' (through adversity to the stars)" with the names of RAAF pilots missing and killed including "O. J. Channon". Wreckage Until September 2003, the the crash site remained in situ. During September 2003, the .50 caliber machine guns, landing gear strut and other wreckage was recovered by Robert Greinert / HARS as a identity for a P-40 restoration. Justin Taylan adds: "I saw only a few pieces of this wreck moved to the village, after the rest had already been salvaged." The recovered parts were later sold to a South African Air Force pilot who was paying to have a new build P-40 from Precision Aerospace. On September 2, 2008 registered in owner O. Ellingsen of Sandvika, Norway and registered in Norway as LN-WNC As of 2015, Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk / Warhawk / Kittyhawk states the owner to be O. Ellingsen of Sandvika, Norway and registered as LN-WNC. Relatives Herbert John Channon (father: 1878–1939) Emily May Channon (mother: ?–1952) References WW2 Nominal Roll - Oswald John Channon, 411286 USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40E Warhawk 41-5549 "5549 (MSN 16541) to RAAF as A29-43 Mar 1942. Shot down over Port Moresby 4/24/1942. Pilot KIA. Has been recovered and is under long term restoration in Australia. Registration LN-WNC reserved Sep 2, 2008." NAA Aircraft Status Card - Kittyhawk A29-43 ADF Serials - Kittyhawk A29-43 CWGC - Oswald John Channon, 411286 FindAGrave - Pilot Officer Oswald John Channon (grave photo) FindAGrave - Oswald John Channon (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - Seek and Strike (2002) page 38 Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk / Warhawk / Kittyhawk by Geoff Goodall (PDF) page 13 of 33 "Shot down by Zero, crashed and burned, near Port Moresby PNG 24.4.42 (wreck components recov. 9.03 from crash site near Porebada village: basis of rest. project in Australia 08). LN-WNC O. Ellingsen, Sandvika, Norway: reg. res. 2.9.08" Einnsyn.no - LN-WNC - flyteknisk mappe AircraftRegister.net - LN-WNC lists aircraft as Nanchang CJ-6A owned by Red Star Squadron 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 February 5, 2022 |
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