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Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
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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 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 12, 2023 |
Hudson MIA 4 Missing |
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