Pilot F/O Vivian Charles Leithhead, RAAF 406858 (MIA)
Navigator F/O Robert Stanley Graves, RAAF 41326 (MIA)
Crashed August 21, 1943
Mission History
One of seven aircraft engaged on a mission to attack Taberfane Seaplane Base.
Beaufighter A19-63 and Beaufighter A19-47 made a converging attack, diving from 2500 feet on a biplane type floatplane which had just become airborne. The starboard wing of A19-63 collided with the port wing of A19-47. Both wings broke off and engines caught fire, with both aircraft crashing into the sea in flames approximately 3,000 - 4,000 feet from Taberfane village.
Postwar Search
In 1946, F/Lt O'Shea of the RAAF Searcher Party reported:
No definite news either of these aircraft - Native report that Australian aircraft crashed into bay at Taberfane date unknown may refer to [these] aircraft.
Memorials
All crew members are listed on the Ambon Memorial as having "No Known Grave".
References
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information
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