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| RAAF 22 Squadron   Clifford Grove c1943 |
Pilot Flight Lt. Philip Courtney Mullens, 402249 (KIA, BR) Pymble, NSW Gunner FSgt Austin James Collins, 400871 (KIA, BR) Black Rock, VIC Crew Sgt Norman Henry Saill, 33313 (KIA, BR) Wallangarra, QLD Crew LAC John Eames Moore, 20932 (KIA, BR) North Sydney, NSW Crashed June 1, 1943 at 11:15am Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 2748. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number AL367. At the factory, painted in RAF markings and camouflage. No known U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) serial number was allocated. This Boston was one of twenty-two Bostons from the RAF production that were instead allocated to the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) and over painted with the markings of the Kon Marine (Dutch Navy). Disassembled and shipped overseas bound for the Netherlands East Indies. After the fall of Java while still in transit, diverted to Australia. Wartime History During March 1942, delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as DB-7B Boston serial number A28-13. Assigned to No. 22 Squadron. Coded "O". Nicknamed "Rocky's Girl" by pilot Rocky Mullens with the nose art of a blonde woman wearing a dress on the left side of the nose below the cockpit. A row of bomb markings above indicated at least 23 combat missions flown. On March 18, 1943 in the morning took off from 5 Mile Drome (Ward) near Port Moresby piloted by Rocky Mullens as one of six Bostons on a bombing mission against Salamaua. The formation was led by DB-7B Boston A28-3 pilot Newton plus DB-7B Boston A28-5 pilot Dick Hunt, DB-7B "Indoor Sport" A28-16 pilot Dick Fethers and DB-7B "She's Apples" A28-9 pilot Alec McKay. Mission History On June 1, 1943 at 10:05am took off from 5 Mile Drome (Wards) near Port Moresby piloted by Flight Lt. Philip Courtney Mullens on a mission to test the guns and wireless transmitter. According to eye witnesses, this aircraft was nose down conducting mock strafing run against a coral reef when it struck the sea at approximately 11:15am near Hood Point off the southern coast of New Guinea. The sky was overcast and the water was glassy smooth, suggesting that the pilot mistook his height when conducting the run. The entire crew were killed on impact. Recovery of Remains Nearby, Hood Point villagers witnessed the crash and swam out to the wreckage and recovered the bodies of the crew from a depth of approximately 18' underwater. Afterwards, they were transported aboard an aircraft from Hula Airfield (Hood Point Airfield) to Port Moresby the next day and buried on June 2. 1943 at Bomana War Cemetery. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. The entire crew is buried at Bomana War Cemetery. Collins at A1. D. 20. Mullens at A1. D. 21. Saill at A1. D. 22. Moore at A1. D. 23. References Boston in service with Royal Australian Air Force ADF Serials - Boston A28-13 CWGC - Philip Courtney Mullens CWGC - Austin James Collins CWGC - Norman Henry Saill CWGC - John Eames Moore Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated June 20, 2023 |
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