RAAF
100 Squadron

Pilot F/O John Clifton Davis, 416834 (MIA/KIA)
Navigator F/Sgt Geoffrey Raymond Emmett, 401932 (MIA/KIA)
Gunner Sgt Willie Thomas Brain, 420130 (MIA/KIA)
Gunner Sgt George Collins, 420447 (MIA/KIA)
MIA  July 12, 1943

Mission History
On July 12, 1943 a US Navy PB4Y-1 shot down an unidentified twin engine aircraft west of Bougainville while involved in a routine search patrol near Buka Passage.  A Japanese G4M had been seen in the area and immediately the PB4Y gave chase, but the Betty managed to escape.  At about the same time, an unidentified twin engine aircraft was seen at low level. After closing the distance to about 1000 yards, the aircraft opened fire which was then returned.  Pretty soon the unidentified aircraft began to smoke, then made a 90° turn and landed in the water.  The crew of the PB4Y saw two survivors and definitely identified them as white men.  They immediately dropped life rafts and survival gear to the two men in the water.

Later it was discovered RAAF Beaufort A9-225 was missing in the area.  Three crew members survived for almost three weeks in the life raft, being spotted twice in that time.  The life raft disappeared during a tropical storm and no trace of the aircraft, nor the crew has ever been found.

References
Information thanks to Jan Herivel and the ADF Serials website.

Contribute Information

Beaufort

MIA

Approximate
06°30'S
154°02'E