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  CA-13 Boomerang Serial Number A46-132  
RAAF
No. 4 Squadron

Click For Enlargement
RAAF 1943
Pilot  F/O Hector C. Munro, 10941 (MIA / KIA) Stawell, VIC
Crashed  November 26, 1943

Aircraft History
Built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Constructors number 955. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as CA-13 Boomerang serial number A46-132.

Wartime History
During August 1943 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). Allocated to No. 83 Squadron and No. 84 Squadron, but these allocations were cancellled. On November 2, 1943 assigned to No. 4 Squadron. No known nickname, nose art or markings.

Mission History
On November 26, 1943 took off from Tsili Tsili Airfield piloted by F/O Hector C. Munro with Boomerang A46-109 pilot F/Sgt Alan J. Salter on a tactical reconnaissance mission of the Sanga River area north of Finschafen. The Boomerangs were escorted by four P-39 Airacobras from 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS).

The formation was attacked by enemy fighters and both Boomerangs were last seen by the fighter escort being engaged by seven Japanese fighters near the mouth of the Sanga River. Both failed to return.

Searches
In 1946, RAAF Searcher Team lead by S/L Keith Rundle incorrectly believed the location of these losses was the Musa River or Songade River and makes reference to another river called Banga which is north of Finschhafen and this confusion has obviously led to the failure to locate the aircraft.

During 1948 another RAAF team searched the Sanga River area for the two lost Boomerangs. No trace of either the pilot or aircraft was found.

Memorials
Munro was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at Lae War Cemetery on the Lae Memorial, panel 6.

Relatives
Alistair Munro (nephew)

References
WW2 Nominal Roll - Hector Charles Munro
CWGC - Hector Charles Munro
FindAGrave - Flying Officer Hector Charles Munro
Thanks to Alistair Munro for additional details

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
November 26, 2022

Tech Info
Boomerang

MIA
MIA
1 Missing
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