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| RNZAF No. 3 Squadron |
Pilot Flight Lieutenant Roye Harold Watson Stevens, 401032 (MIA / KIA) Taranaki, NZ Navigator Flying Officer John James Carson, 422258 (MIA / KIA) Sandringham, Auckland, NZ Radio/Gunner Warrant Officer Geoffrey James Innes, 421974 (MIA / KIA) Auckland, NZ Gunner Pilot Officer Stanley James Dawson, 2209 (MIA / KIA) Invercargill, NZ Gunner Flying Officer John Aitcheson MacGuire, 402113 (MIA / KIA) Mataura, Southland, NZ Crashed September 9, 1944 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed as model 237-27-01 in Burbank. Constructors Number 237-6270. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as PV-1 Ventura bureau number 49454. Disassembled and shipped to Oahu then across the Pacific to New Zealand as part of defense aid. Wartime History Assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Ventura serial number NZ4614. On April 18, 1944 reassembled by Unit 45 at Hamilton Airfield. Assigned to No. 3 Squadron on Bougainville. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On September 9, 1944 at 5:25am took off from Piva North Airfield (Piva Uncle) on Bougainville piloted by Flight Lieutenant Roye H. W. Stevens as one of three Venturas on a bombing mission against Rabaul. This Ventura did not reach the target area. When this aircraft failed to return, it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Search Afterwards, search missions were flown for this aircraft and crew with nil results until September 17, 1944. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Bourail War Cemetery on the Bourail Memorial. Stevens on panel 3. Carson and MacGuire on panel 4. Innes on panel 6. Dawson on panel 5. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - PV-1 Ventura 49454 "49454 (MSN 237-6270) to New Zealand Apr 18, 1944 as NZ4614. Failed to return from a strike near Rabaul on Sep 9, 1944. The aircraft left Bougainville with 2 others but did not reach the target area. No sign of wreckage was found despite aerial searches until the 17th of the month." CWGC - Roye Harold Watson Stevens CWGC - John James Carson CWGC - Geoffrey James Innes CWGC - Stanley James Dawson CWGC - John Aitcheson MacGuire ADF Serials - PV-1 Ventura NZ4614 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 |
 PV-1 MIA 5 Missing |
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