Crew Flight Lieutenant Charles Prior (MIA / KIA)
Crew Flying Officer Sydney Clayton (MIA / KIA)
Crew Warrant Officer Theo (MIA / KIA)
Crashed June 5, 1944 at 10:45am
Aircraft History
Constructors Number 5499. US Navy Bureau Number 47733. Arrived in New Zealand aboard the USS Schenectedy. Assembled by No. 1 Aircraft Depot at Hobsonville Airfield and BOC December 15, 1943 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. Assigned to 30 Squadron based at Gisborne and nicknamed the aircraft "Plonky". Departed from Gisborne on ferry flight to Espiritu Santos on January 24, 1944. Next, assigned to 31 Squadron.
Mission History
Took off from Bougainville on a mission against Rabaul. Hit by flak near Rapopo Airfield. The aircraft caught fire and dived into the ground, the crew were killed in the crash.
Wreckage
Postwar, the wreckage was discovered by RAAF Searcher team and some remains recovered in 1947 and buried locally (?). Later the remains were exhumed and buried at Bourail Memorial in New Caledonia.
In 2001 US Army CILHI visited this same crash site and incorrectly believed it was an American Avenger and contained American remains. A few body parts were found at the crash site and they were taken to CILHI in Hawaii for inspection and DNA testing, that revealed the body parts were from the New Zealander crew.
Memorials
Later, their remains were flown to New Zealand and turned over to the RNZAF in late 2008 and families informed. These additional remains were also buried in their graves at Bourail Memorial.
At one time, TBM Avenger 91110 is painted in the markings of this aircraft during 1992-1998.
References
Last of body parts finally buried with WW2 airmen March 17, 2009
RNZAF Serials for aircraft history
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Last Updated
October 1, 2009
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