Pilot Officer Warren F. Cowan
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), No. 32 Squadron

Background
Warren Frank Cowan was born May 12, 1911 in Angaston, South Australia in Australia. On December 7, 1940 he enlisted at Adelaide into the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with service number 407614. On January 28, 1942 promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer (P/O).

Mission History
On July 22, 1942 at 11:30am took off piloting Hudson A16-201 from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby on a solo reconnaissance mission to shadow an enemy cruiser force north of Buna. Over the target area, this Hudson failed to locate the warships. At 1:30pm, the last radio communication was received from this bomber. No sighting or any distress call was ever received. When this Hudson failed to return it was declared Missing In Action (MIA). This Hudson was officially stricken from charge July 31, 1942.

In fact, this Hudson was intercepted by six A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) that took off from Lae Airfield at 2:00pm. The six Zeros flying in two shotai of three planes each: 1st Shotai Lt(jg) Jun'ichi Sasai, FPO1c Toshio Ota and FPO3c Masuaki Endo plus 2nd Shotai FPO1 Saburo Sakai, FPO2c Masayoshi Yonekawa and FPO3c Yoshio Mogi.

Around 2:45pm the six Zeros arrived over Buna and spotted a single twin engined aircraft, this Hudson. They released their drop tanks and climbed to intercept. Attacking from the rear, the Zeros systematically attacked one at a time. To their disbelief, the bomber turned into their attacks to dogfight with them each time. Although the maneuver was unexpected and brave, the Hudson lost altitude with each turn and became damaged and was claimed as shot down and crashed into a forested area near Popondetta. Attacking pilot Saburo Sakai never forgot the incident or the bravery of the pilot and wrote about the incident in his memoirs Oozora No Samurai and Samurai!

During 1998, Saburo Sakai wrote a letter to the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs, recommending Cowan for a medal, stating: "I recommend that Pilot Officer Warren F. Cowan be posthumously awarded your country's highest commendation. I have encountered many brave pilots in my life but Warren F. Cowan stands alone." The request was rejected on procedural grounds.

Wreckage
This Hudson crashed into a forest near Popondetta. On February 28, 1943 the crash site was found by Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU).

Recovery of Remains
On February 28, 1943 the remains of the crew were recovered by Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit (ANGAU) and buried at Soputa Cemetery. Later, disinterred and transported to Port Moresby for permanent burial.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on July 22, 1942. All are buried at Bomana War Cemetery at collective grave B7, E, 21-24. Cowan's grave has the epitaph: "Greater Love Hath No Man".

Relatives
Betty Shillabeer (Cowan's widow)
Blair Cowan (Cowan's son)
Libby Buchanan (Cowan's daughter)
Jim Cowan (Cowan's brother)

References
WW2 Nominal Roll - Warren Frank Cowan, 407614
RAAF Casualty File (NAA: A705, 163/26/243) Warren Frank Cowan
CWGC - Warren Frank Cowan
Samurai! by Saburo Sakai describes the shoot down of this bomber and brave actions of the pilot
Panorama "Zero ace honours his foes" by Bob Piper February 14, 1998
Combat Aircraft "One Against Nine Over Buna" by Henry Sakaida June-July 1988
ABC "Australian Story - Enemy Lines" July 1, 2002 tells the story of this aircraft including interviews with Cowan relatives, Henry Sakaida David Vincent and Robert Piper
ABC "Australian Story - Enemy Lines" July 1, 2002 - Transcript
Eagles of the Southern Sky (2012) pages 7 dedication, 208-209, 240 (artwork), 298 (artwork profile) 277, 326, 336 "crashed into jungle near Popoga", 342, 348 index listings

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