C-47B-5-DK Dakota Serial Number A65-61 Tail VH-CUT

RAAF
38 Squadron

Click For Enlargment
Via CILHI 2000
Click For Enlargment
Via RAAF 2005

 

Pilot  WOFF Arthur Jack Hunter, 411069 (KIA)
Co-Pilot  WOFF Albert Clifford Hughes, 414566 (KIA)
Passengers  Complete passenger list (all KIA)
Crashed  Sepember 18, 1945

Mission History
Lost during a patient transfer flight from Biak to Townsville. It crashed onto the Carstenz Ranges at 14,200' in Irian Jaya. On board the aircraft were 10 RAAF passengers and crew and 19 Army personnel. The sad legacy of this wreck were the twenty-nine passengers and crew, one that remains MIA to this day.

Discovery
The wreck was discovered in December 1970 high in the mountains and broken in a ravine. The site was discovered north west of the Grasberg mine operated by PT Freeport.

Recovery & Memorial
From May 23 - June 6, 2005, a joint RAAF and Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) team traveled to the region last month as part of "Exercise Dakota Recovery". The mission, conducted in extreme climatic conditions, recovered all the remains as well as some personal effects of the passengers and crew. A memorial plaque was left at the site. A formal military funeral is planned for burial of the remains at the Port Moresby Bomana War Cemetery on August 10, 2005.

References
Photo of the wreck appear in George Odgers' "Air Force - Australia" book. Thanks to Greg Williams and Daniel Leahy for additional information.

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