RAAF
30 Squadron
Don Fetterly 2001
Pilot WGCDR Clarence Parsons Glasscock,
260092 (DFC)
Navigator FLGOFF R. A. Kelly
Crew WGCDR Jervis Huon Glasscock, 135
Crashed August 16, 1943
Discovered 2000 by Rod Pearce and Don Fetterly
Crew History
Clarence Glasscock was
the C.O. of 30 Squadron, and later KIA piloting Beaufighter A19-133 on
September 19, 1943.
Aircraft History
A19-130 was a brand new Beaufighter
belonged to 30 Squadron.
Mission History
Took off at 0920 hours from Vivagani on Goodenough for
fuel consumption and orientation test. Ditched off Fergusson Island.
Mission History
Took off from Vivigani Airfield on a check-out flight. Experienced a starboard engine failure at 1,200' , while
crossing
the
west coast of Fergusson Island. Not being able to maintain
height with a full war load, it was decided to ditch in near by Hughes
Bay. After flying inland for a short period of time, they crossed the
north coast of the Island at low altitude and prepared for a water
landing. The forward escape hatch was jettisoned at 100' above the
Bunai River mouth and power taken off 20' above the sea on a down
wind water landing.
No injuries were sustained and the aircraft sank in about 10 seconds. The dingy inflated automatically, but was punctured by the tail plane as the aircraft nosed over before plummeting to the bottom. The raft was abandoned forcing the crew to swim to shore.
Discovery
Located with sonar by Rod Pearce and Don Fetterly in July 2000 in 204 feet of water on the north coast of Fergusson
Island, 667m from shore.
References
Thanks
to Daniel Leahey for
additional historical information, and Don Fetterly for photos and discovery.
Beaufighter
60m
