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| RAAF No. 75 Squadron Former Assignments No. 76 Squadron |
Pilot F/O Montague David Ellerton, 568 (KIA, BR) Burwood, NSW Crashed April 27, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Curtis in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 16542. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) P-40E Warhawk serial number 41-5550. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History During March 1942 delivered to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as P-40E Kittyhawk serial number A29-69. On April 1, 1942 assigned to No. 76 Squadron. On April 25, 1942 assigned to No. 75 Squadron. No known nickname, nose art or markings. Mission History On April 27, 1942 took off piloted by F/O Montague David Ellerton on a flight northward bound for Port Moresby then to Milne Bay to join No. 75 Squadron. Ellerton attempted to land on the beach roughly 50km to the northwest of Cooktown to assist P-39F Airacobra 41-7210 pilot Lt William McGovern that crashed the previous day. This plane attempted to land with the landing gear extended on the beach south of Murdoch Point, near the rock ledges near Cooktown. While landing, one of the wingtips hit a sand dune and flipped upside down. Pilot Ellerton was trapped in the cockpit and drowned in the incoming tide. Recovery of Remains Afterwards, Ellerton's remains were recovered and transported to Townsville for burial. Memorials Ellerton was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at the Townsville War Cemetery at B. C. 5. He is also memorialized at AWM (AWM) panel 103. References WW2 Nominal Roll - Montague David Ellerton, 568 USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40E Warhawk 41-5550 "5550 to RAAF as A29-69. Crashed 4/27/1942 near Cooktown QLD." ADF Serials - P-40E Kittyhawk A29-69 CWGC - Montague David Ellerton FindAGrave - Flying Officer Montague David Ellerton (grave photos) FindAGrave - Montague David Ellerton (AWM) Oz@War - 27 April 1942 crash of a Kittyhawk 50kms north west of Cooktown 44 Days (2016) pages 220-222 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 16, 2025 |
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