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  Lockheed Hudson Mark IIIA Serial Number A16-191  
RAAF
No. 32 Squadron

Former Assignments
No. 6 Squadron

Pilot  Sgt Maurice Wilfred Cooper, 416146 (MIA / KIA) Albert Park, SA
Co-Pilot  Sgt James Alexander Herman, 407713 (MIA / KIA) Woodville, SA
W/AG  Sgt Herbert Thomas Gillam, 401689 (MIA / KIA) Hampton , VIC
Gunner  P/O John Leslie Manton Jewell, 406656 (MIA / KIA)
Crashed  May 24, 1942

Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructor Number 6356. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-29-LO Hudson serial number 41-23539. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number BW677. Shipped overseas as part of defense aid consignment to Australia.

Wartime History
On April 5, 1942 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Hudson serial number A16-191, On April 19, 1942 assigned to 2 Air Depot (2 AD) at Richmond Airfield. On April 25, 1942 assigned to No. 6 Squadron at Garbutt Field. On May 11, 1942 assigned to No. 32 Squadron.

Mission History
On May 24, 1942 took off from Rockhampton Airfield piloted by Sgt Maurice Wilfred Cooper with Hudson A16-194 on a flight bound for Garbutt Field at Townsville. During the flight at 2,000', collided with Hudson A16-194 over Giru, Queensland. Damaged, this aircraft crashed into a mangrove swamp and caught fire causing two 100 pound bombs aboard to explode. The entire crew was killed in the crash. This Hudson was stricken from charge July 31, 1942.

Wreckage
The wreckage of this Hudson is located in dense mangroves, and reports of human remains being buried near the wreck. All crew members are currently listed on the Sydney Memorial as having "No Known Grave". Cooper, Gillam and Herman on panel 6. Jewell on panel 5.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-29-LO Hudson 41-23539
"23539 to RAF as BW677 but NTU and to Australia as A16-191. Collided with A16-194 near Giru, QLD May 24, 1942 while with 32 Sqdn."
CWGC - Maurice Wilfred Cooper
CWGC - James Alexander Herman
CWGC - Herbert Thomas Gillam
CWGC - John Leslie Manton Jewell
ADF Serials - Hudson A16-191
RAAFDB - Hudson A16-191
ABC Radio International "Lost planes, lost men" by Ian Townsend
Townsville Bulletin "World War II plane crash sites remain unprotected" March 15, 2014

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Last Updated
December 12, 2023

Tech Info
Hudson

MIA
MIA
4 Missing
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