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| RAAF 20 Squadron |
Captain S/L Geoff E. Hemsworth, 260275 (POW, MIA / KIA) Collaroy, NSW 2nd Pilot Sgt Jack R. Coulter, 407891 (MIA / KIA) Black Forest, NSW Navigator F/O Leo G. McClintock, 403782 (MIA / KIA) Manly, NSW Engineer Clp Colin Marsden, 21371 (MIA / KIA) Merewether, NSW Asst Engineer LAC Kenneth J. Arnott, 21070 (MIA / KIA) Mayfield, NSW Radio LAC Norman R. Banvill, 23549 (MIA / KIA) Maryborough, NSW Asst Radio Sgt John "Jack" P. W. Bandy, 401021 (MIA / KIA) St. Kilda, VIC Rigger LAC Eric Dorman, 15453 (MIA / KIA) Armor LAC Erwin Brown, 33208 (MIA / KIA) Darlinghurst, NSW Crashed May 6, 1942 Pilot History Hemsworth had flown a raid over Rabaul on the night of February 3-4 and his Catalina was heavily damaged—possibly by FPO/1C Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, who was flying a A5M4 Claude (a few of them teamed up with the searchlight crews) and claimed a Catalina that night. Hemsworth did an amazing job of getting the plane back to Port Moresby on one engine. The total event lasted more than 24 hours including a night landing off Salamaua. Aircraft History Built by Consolidated. Constructors number 386. Assigned Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) serial number 9735. On March 10, 1942 Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Catalina A24-20. On April 4, 1942 assigned to 20 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On May 6, 1942 took off from Port Moresby Seaplane Base piloted by S/L Geoff E. Hemsworth on a daylight reconnaissance mission and reported spotting two destroyers and that were under attack by enemy aircraft. When this aircraft failed to return it was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). In fact, shot down off Misima Island. Fates of the Crew Pilot Hemsworth was captured by the Japanese and became a Prisoner Of War (POW). His ultimate fate is uknown, likely executed, died or otherwise dissapeared. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead on May 7, 1942. All are memorialized at the Port Moresby Memorial. Hemsworth, Bandy, McClintock and Coulter on panel 9. Arnott, Dorman, Brown and Banvill on panel 10. Marsden on panel 19. Refrences ADF Serials RAAF A24 Consolidated Catalina - PBY-5 Catalina A24-20 CWGC - Geoff Ellard Hemsworth NAA - RAAF Service Record Hemsworth, G. E. CWGC - Jack Ronald Coulter CWGC - Leo Guy McClintock CWGC - Colin Marsden CWGC - Kenneth John Arnott CWGC - Norman Robert Banvill CWGC - John Percy William Bandy CWGC - Eric Dorman CWGC - Erwin Bruce Brown Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated May 5, 2021 |
 PBY  POW / MIA1 Prisoner 9 Missing  S 10 40 E 152 29 |
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