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RNZAF No. 4 Squadron Former Assignments No. 2 Squadron No. 8 Squadron |
Pilot F/O Keith M. Graham, 436754 (MIA / KIA) Westland, NZ Crew Sgt Melville P. Lawrence Moxsom, 4313880 (MIA / KIA) Taupiri, Auckland, NZ Crew F/Sgt Leo P. Marshall, 432216 (MIA / KIA) Raurimu, Wellington, NZ Crew Sgt Eric G. Priest, 4314322 (MIA / KIA) Thames, Auckland, NZ Crew Sgt Douglas D. Read, 44810 (MIA / KIA) Maunu, Auckland, NZ Crashed May 28, 1945 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed as model 237-27-01 in Burbank. Constructors Number 237-6209. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as PV-1 Ventura bureau number 49393. Disassembled and shipped to Oahu then across the Pacific to New Zealand as part of defense aid. Wartime History On February 29, 1944 assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Ventura NZ4578. Reassembled by Unit 19 at Whenuapai Airfield. During late 1944, assigned to No. 2 Squadron on Guadalcanal. In January 1945 transfered to No. 8 Squadron. Later assigned to No 4 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On May 28, 1945 took off from Guadalcanal on a mission. While flying in bad weather, this Ventura crashed into a hillside on Malaita and exploded on impact, killing the entire crew. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Bourail Cemetery on the Bourail Memorial. Graham on panel 4. Marshall on panel 6. Priest and Read panel 8. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - PV-1 Ventura 49393 "49393 (MSN 237-6209) to New Zealand Feb 29, 1944 as NZ4578. Crashed at Malaita on May 28, 1945. The aircraft flew into a hill in bad weather and exploded." ADF Serials Ventura NZ4578 CWGC - Keith Maxwell Graham CWGC - Melville Pascoe Lawrence Moxsom CWGC - Leo Parkes Marshall CWGC - Eric George Priest CWGC - Douglas David Read Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated June 29, 2024 |
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