Aircraft History
USAAF Serial Number 42-33211. One of nine A-20Cs that arrived in Australia from the USA in September of 1943. Assigned to the RAAF in October 1943 and assigned the Serial Number A28-29, and served with 22 Squadron.

Mission History
One of five 22 Squadron A-20 Bostons that conducted an attack with Beaufighters and P-40 Kittyhawks on Palmalmal Plantation near Jacquinot Bay. This bomber was leading the formation, and was observed to make a normal level attack as the formation went over the target in line abreast formation, meeting moderate anti-aircraft from light and medium guns. This bomber fell back in formation after dropping its bombs, it swung away emitted brown smoke and ditched into the sea, hitting the reef, causing the outer wings and upper fuselage to remain above water 50' from shore, but the crew were not seen at the crash and were listed as MIA.

Shoot down near Sali, both crew were listed as MIA, but had in fact survived the crash. They fled from the crash site minutes before the Japanese arrived. Assisted by local named Golpak. Later, the two were contacted by Australian coastwatcher in the area, Skinner and later taken to Major Robert's Base. On February 5, 1944 USS Gato surfaced in Open Bay near and rescued both aviators along with American Fred Hargesheimer. Earlier they had rescued three other American aviators.

Gordon Manuel adds in 70,000 to One:
"We had gone out about fifty yards when one of the sailors spotted a signal from shore. It was dark now, but we could see a flashlight signaling. They turned the boat back to shore and rowed in the direction of the light. Three men were waiting for us - three men I had never seen before. They had been with Captain Stokey. They introduced themselves as Wing Commander Townsend, Flight Officer McClamont and Fred Hagershimer. The first two had been flying an A-20. When they had come down 'to do a bit of strafing' (as the Wing Commander expressed it) they had been shot down."

Wreckage
The throttle column from this aircraft is displayed in Australian War Memorial (AWM) Aircraft Hall.

References
Hostages to Freedom pages 238-239
22 Squadron Loss Report November 4, 1943
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009