Pilot  Sq Ldr William Allan Pedrina, 264 (KIA)
Observer  F.O.Donald Beviss Kerr, 416431 (KIA)
Radio  Sgt Arthur Rupert Itzerott, 401750 (KIA)
Turret Gunner  W.O. Leo Charles Callagahan, 300400
Crashed  December 15, 1942

Crew History
Pilot "Pedro" Pedrina was involved in the first mast height attack on enemy shipping of the New Guinea campaign on February 11, 1942. During that mission, three Hudsons attacked and sunk two transports at Gasmata. Two of the planes were then shot down, Hudson A16-91 and Hudson A16-126. Pedrina's was the only plane to survive and his gunner shot down one Japanese plane, plus a probable.

On February 19th, he was jumped over Arawe, and again shot down one of two planes attacking and got back badly shot up, but his WO was killed. For a time his unit flew recon out of Horn Island plus some evacuation work from Wau. On 15th December flew three sorties from Wards Drome to drop supplies at Soputa. He went back despite clouds for a fourth ammo supply run and was shot down.

Aircraft History
The plane had Constructor number 1887, and was delivered to RAAF February 9, 1940.

Mission History
This Hudson took off from Port Moresby and completed three sorties from to Soputa to drop ammunition to Australian troops fighting in the area. On this last supply run, he was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over drop zone "Jumbora". The plane shook violently and went into a steep climb before crashing. Three of the crew were killed when the plane crashed. The rear gunner survived with a broken pelvis and arm and was rescued by Australian troops.

Keith Taylor, was at the Jumbora supply dump with mate, "Smiler" Sublet, on 14th December 1942: "Spent the day checking out .303 ammunition to see if it was serviceable following the air drop. By mid afternoon, an airdrop was occurring using Hudson aircraft flown over from Port Moresby to drop their loads. Then there was a roar and they watched one of the Hudson's crash during a circuit. They raced over to help - it took around half an hour to get there through the jungle - they sang out as they approached to get a bearing and got a reply. The plane had belly landed but the fuselage was rather crushed plus the front end was on fire. The plane had come down in the jungle amidst a lot of smashed up timber. There was a crew member alive in the upper turret- Flt Sgt Callaghan. There was a lot of ammo on board and though they could see the bodies of the pilot and navigator they had no chance to get them. Flt Sgt Callaghan was the turret gunner Australian troops finally pulled out of the wreck. after smashing in the perspex. Callaghan went berserk due to his wounds, and had first tried to smash his way out with his own revolver resulting in it firing a bullet up his arm. Then when the rescuers did get a hole made, his the wounded man's belt caught on on the MG and he ended up with a shattered pelvis."

Wreckage
This crash site remains at Soputa. In 2002,

Recovery
The tail fin was recovered by Robert Greinert, supposedly for the Australian War Museum. If it was ever donated or displayed has not been determined.

References
Thanks to Daniel Leahey, Phil Bradley and John Douglas for additional information.

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