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| RAAF No. 4 Squadron Former Assignment 1 AD |
Pilot F/O Albert Thomas Smith, 411613 (MIA / KIA) Armidale, NSW Gunner Sgt Douglas Elgin Withers, 21899 (MIA / KIA) Glasgow, Scotland MIA December 11, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Wirraway serial number A20-485. Wartime History On January 1, 1942 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD) and that same day transferred to No. 4 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On December 11, 1942 took off from Berry Drome (12 Mile) near Port Moresby pilot F/O Albert Thomas Smith armed with two 250 pound bombs as one of six Wirraways on a bombing mission against Buna. Inbound to the target, over the Owen Stanley Range the formation split up. This aircraft was last seen entering clouds near the Kokoda Gap and was never seen again. When this aircraft failed to return, it was declared Missing In Action (MIA). Also lost was Wirraway A-20-51. Memorials Both Smith and Bain were officially declared dead the day of the mission. Both are memorialized at Bomana War Cemetery on Panel 9. References ADF Serials - Wirraway A20-485 "Rec 1AD ex CAC 01/01/42. Rec 4Sqn RAAF 16/01/42. Accident 10/03/42 when aircraft's pilot applied brakes to miss obstacle, damaging airscrew tip. Repaired. Accident 01/05/42 when pilot made precautionary forced landing at Bugowannah NSW. Pilot P/O J R Mowbray and Sgt K W French Serv#9152 not injured. Card error in stating this aircraft thought destroyed per details of A20-481. No damage. In service 4Sqn RAAF. Rec 12RSU ex 4Sqn RAAF 05/11/42. Rec 4Sqn RAAF ex 12RSU 06/11/42. Missing on Ops with 5 other 4Sqn Wirraways 11/12/42 on bombing mission carrying two 250lb bombs each, to Buna. Following take-off from Berri Strip, the aircraft went missing going over the Owen Stanley Ranges with A20-51 after seeing entering cloud. Crew of A20-485 , P/O AT Smith Serv#411613 and Sgt Douglas Elgin Withers Bain Serv#21899 MIA Berry/Buna." CWGC - Albert Thomas Smith CWGC - Douglas Elgin Withers WW2 Nominal Roll - Albert Thomas Smith WW2 Nominal Roll - Douglas Elgin Withers Bain RAAFDB - CAC-3 Wirraway A20-485 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated January 12, 2024 |
 Wirraway  MIA 2 Missing |
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