RAAF
2 Squadron
Pilot S/Ldr John Leonard Scott, 290602 (POW, executed, recovered)
Crew F/Sgt Robert Ian Maxwell King, 427122 (POW, executed, rec'd)
Crew F/Sgt Bruce Erskdale Wallace, 410763 (POW, exicuted, rec'd)
Crew F/Sgt Keith Charles Wright, 434064 (POW, executed, rec'd)
Crew P/O Donald Cosmo Beddoe, 401731 (POW, KIA, MIA)
Shot
Down March
27, 1944
Mission History
Took off from Hughes Airfield for "operational reconnaissance of islands in the Banda Sea". Shot down and crashed into the sea.
Fates of the Crew
The crew made it to Loeang Island and were cared for by natives. Captured by the Japanese and taken to Babar Island before being taken to Tantoei POW Camp on Ambon.
One of the crew members was injured by an 18 Squadron attack on a Japanese barge, then shot and killed by Japanese captors. The other four members were executed on Ambon and buried. After the war, their bodies were exhumed and prosicuted as part of war crimes trials.
References
Blood
Oath / Prisoners of the Sun was based on this aircrew.
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information & photo.
Hudson
