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| RAAF No. 54 Squadron Former assignments 1 AP 1 AD 1 FW |
Pilot F/O William Torrens Hinds, RAFVR 129948 (KIA, BR) Crashed September 7, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Supermarine in the United Kingdom. Assigned to the Royal Air Force (RAF) as Spitfire Mark Vc serial number EF558. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia arriving on June 14, 1943. Wartime History On June 16, 1942 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) but was never assigned a serial number. Reassembled at 1 AP. On July 11, 1943 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On July 15, 1943 assigned to 1 FW. On July 18, 1943 assigned to No. 54 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On September 7, 1943 at 10:40am took off from Darwin Airfield (RAAF Darwin) piloted by F/O William T. Hinds as part of a seven plane flight with Spitfires from No. 452 Squadron on a mission to intercept incoming Japanese aircraft over Tumbling Waters to the southeast of Darwin. The enemy formation included two Ki-46 Dinahs piloted by Murumitsu Sasaki and the other by C. O. Captain Kuruyasu Ichikawa escorted by 36 A6M Zeros from the 202 Kokutai. This Spitfire crashed near Pioneer Creek, killing Hinds in the crash. Recovery of Remains The next day, the crash site was located by the Australian Army and Hinds remains were recovered. Wreckage On September 14, 1943 the wreckage was recieved by 7 Repair Salvage Unit (7 RSU). On September 24, 1943 approved for write off. During November 1943 this Spitfire was retroactively assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Spitfire Mark Vc serial number A58-153. Today, wreckage from this Spitfire remains at an Australian Army range at Kangaroo Flats near Pioneer Creek. Memorials Hinds was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at Adelaide River War Cemetery at grave G.C.7. References CWGC - William Torrens Hinds ADF Serials - Spitfire A58-153 Thanks to Bob Alford and 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 August 30, 2023 |
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