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Pilot P/O Alan W. Green, 406393 (MIA / KIA) Harvey, WA Crashed April 29, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Republic. On August 21, 1941 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-43 Lancer serial number 41-6718. Converted into a P-43D model. On August 1, 1942 shipped overseas to Australia per Order ASCT-5832MK. On August 26, 1942 arrived in Australia and was reassembled and possibly used by the USAAF in Australia. Wartime History On November 10, 1942 assigned to the RAAF (RAAF) as P-43D Lancer serial number A56-7. That same day assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD) at Laverton Airfield for modification for a 250 pound bomb. On December 7, 1942 assigned to No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (1 PRU) and delivered four days later. Afterwards, modified to add a set of prototype long range fuel tanks manufactured by Peerless Metal Company in Melbourne and wing pylon fairing modification. On April 28, 1943 took off from Wagga Wagga Airfield piloted by P/O Alan W. Green on a photographic mission over Ballarat, Tocumwal and Albury and was to landed at Forest Hill Airfield at 3:55pm to refuel. Mission History On April 29, 1943 at 9:55am took off from Forest Hill Airfield piloted by P/O Alan W. Green on a flight bound for Laverton Airfield but never arrived and was reported as missing. Around 11:00am, workers at the Dindi Sawmills roughly 22 miles north of Healesville, Victoria reported hearing the sound of an aircraft in trouble and believed it crashed in the vicinity. They were not able to see the plane due to dense fog. They reported the plane to local police on April 30, 1942 around 8pm and this report was related to the RAAF. When this plane failed to arrive it was reported as Missing In Action (MIA). Officially, written off on May 26, 1943. Search When reported missing, a search was mounted by RAAF aircraft. On April 30, 1943 planes from Laverton Airfield searched north of Tocumwal without result. Meanwhile planes from Uranquinty searched south to the Murry River on the border of New South Wales and Victoria. On May 1, 1943 and May 2, 1943 more searches were conducted in the vicinity of Healesville based on the police report from timber workers at the Dindi Sawmills. On May 4, 1943 aerial searches ceased and ground searches continued but no trace of the missing plane or pilot were found. Wreckage In fact, this Lancer crashed at the summit of Mount Klondyke in Victoria, roughly 13 miles north of Healesville. On June 10, 1958 the crash site was found by loggers Bill Pritchard and Fred Newcombe. Inside the cockpit was the parachute harness. On June 11, 1958 a skeleton was found roughly 30 yards from the wreckage. After discovery, some artifacts including the machine guns were recovered. Recovery of Remains The remains were recovered and identified as Green and transported to Perth for permanent burial. Display Two piece of aluminum wreckage from the crash site is displayed at Gippsland Armed Forces Museum. The wreckage has traces of the green and brown paint. Also, the machine guns and ammunition are held by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) at the Toolangi Depot. Memorials Green was officially declared dead the day of the mission. On June 20, 1958 he was buried at Perth War Cemetery and Annex at plot Q, row D, grave 3. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-43 Lancer 41-6718 "6718 converted to P-43D. To RAAF as A56-7. Missing 4/30/1943 in flight from Wagga. Aircraft found in Hursville hills 1958." ADF Serials - RAAF A56 Republic P-43 Lancer WW2 Nominal Roll - Alan W. Green, 406393 Sabretache "A Unique Case for Aviation Archaeology: The Loss of RAAF P-43 Lancer A56-7, Victoria, April 1943" by Daniel Leahy Vol. LXVI, No. 4 (December 2025) 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 November 21, 2025 |
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