Pilot F/O Arthur Renfred Nicolay, 406013 (MIA/KIA)
Crew Sgt Mark Richard Korbosky, 406721 (MIA/KIA)
Crew Sgt William Ian Cass, 406432 (MIA/KIA)
Crew Sgt William Hodgson Coppin, 406773 (MIA/KIA)
Missing March 3-4, 1942
Aircraft History
Constructors Number: 6030. US Army Air Force Serial Number 41-23171 . Delivered on September 13, 1941. Arrived in Australia and assigned to the 2nd Air Depot on December 4, 1941. Next to 14 Squadron on December 28, 1941. Later, assigned to 32 Squadron on February 19, 1942.
On March 2rd Hudson A16-101 carried out high altitude recon of Rabaul, encountering heavy anti-aircraft fire from Simpson Harbor. At 08:00 on March 3rd, Hudson A16-101 flew to Horn Island Airfield (possibly saving it from being caught on the groud at Port Moresby which was attacked that afternoon). It returned to 7-Mile Drome from Horn Island Airfield at 18:15 that afternoon.
Mission History
Departed 7-Mile Drome at 20:30 on a night time bombing mission of Gasmata Airfield. It was intitially thought that the aircraft may have tried to fly through a tropical storm, crashing in the hills of New Britain. Hudson A16-165 was also lost on this mission.
Wreckage
After the war, S/Ldr Rundle of the RAAF Searcher Party located the wreckage of a Hudson off Gasmata in 1946. Initially believing this may have been Hudson A16-126, locals advised that it was lost at the same time as Hudson A16-165. Though never being positively identified, it is believed this is the wreckage of A16-101. No human remains were found.
Mark Reichman adds:
"A16-101 I still need to confirm if I can flip that wing over. It looks to me that those Hudsons come straight down and the cockpits break all apart. With the engine now totally covered in coral, it would be a miracle I think to find any remains. I'd still like to explore around that reef though. There is a complete port wing in 20' of water that I tried to flip but need heavier equipment as it's glued to the bottom but in excellent shape. I'm hoping the numbers are on the bottom side and able to confirm which plane it is. That object in the distance that looks like an "X" I thought to be an inner support bracing for the back section of the fuselage."
References
ADF Serials for aircraft history
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information
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