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| RNZAF No. 3 Squadron |
Pilot Flight Sergeant Norman John Newall, 404401 (MIA / KIA) Nelson, NZ Co-Pilot Sergeant Albert Patrick Mahony, 413100 (MIA / KIA) Beckenham, Christchurch Observer Sgt Henry William Manfred Downard, 41315 (MIA / KIA) Auckland, NZ WAG Flt Sgt David George Newlands, 415910 (POW, / MIA) Canterbury, NZ WAG Sgt Richard Talbot Andrew, 411289 (MIA / KIA) Hawke's Bay, NZ Crashed December 18, 1942 Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors number 6613. Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number FH323. Assigned U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-29-LO Hudson serial number 41-37124. Disassembled and loaded aboard Parrakoola as cargo and shipped across the Pacific to New Zealand. Wartime History On April 27, 1942 assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Hudson serial number NZ2054. Reassembled as Unit 13 at Harewood. During May 1942, assigned to No. 3 Squadron at Whenuapai Airfield and then Henderson Field. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On December 18, 1942 at 4:50am took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal at piloted by Flight Sergeant Norman J. Newall on a patrol mission over enemy territory. The weather was good with 15/20 mile visibility and few scattered showers. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). It is unknown if this Hudson was lost due to enemy fighters, anti-aircraft fire or other causes. Presumed lost over Rekata Bay on Santa Isabel Island. Search Subsequent searches failed to find any trace of the aircraft or its crew. A U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) scout plane claimed to observe a crashed Hudson off Rekata Bay at 7:45. On August 5, 1945 PB2B-1 Catalina NZ4051 piloted by Smith took off from Halavo Bay Seaplane Base and landed at Rekata Bay. Crew members went ashore with a rubber raft and search for this aircraft and the remains of the crew. The team determined this Hudson had crashed two miles from Suavana Point and found the wreckage, but no trace of the crew or their remains. Jenny Scott adds: "My father was on a team that took PB2B-1 Catalina NZ4051 to Rekata Bay on August 5, 1945 to search for remains of NZ2054. Dad told me they found the aircraft but there was no sign of any human remains in the aircraft. The only other piece of information that I remember dad saying was that a swath was still visible through the jungle which the a/c apparently cut as it crashed - from this and the nature of the diving equipment I don't imagine it was too far from shore or too deep. I have met with the navigator on this trip, Graham Goss, and he agrees with this account." Fates of the Crew According to postwar accounts, three of the crew died in the crash. The others swam ashore and were captured by the Japanese. One was severely injured and died on the beach a few hours later and was buried near the scene of the crash. Newlands was transported via Shortlands to Rabaul during January 1943 and was imprisoned at the Rabaul POW Camp and seen by two other prisoners who survived captivity and postwar related his story. Later in 1943, prisoners including Newlands were taken from the camp and never seen again, likely executed. No trace of any of the crew have ever been found. Memorials Newall, Mahony, Downard and Andrew were officially declared dead on December 18, 1942. Newlands was officially declared dead on September 1, 1943. All are memorialized at Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery on Burail Memorial, panel 7. References Some sources list the date of this loss of Hudson NZ2054 as December 19, 1942, this is incorrect. USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-29-LO Hudson 41-37124 "37124 to RNZAF as NZ2054 Apr 27, 1942. Failed to return from patrol over central Solomons Dec 18, 1942. It was discovered in Aug 1945 that the plane had crashed into sea at Rekata Bay, Santa Isobel." ADF Serials - Hudson NZ2054 RNZAF Accident to Hudson Aircraft NZ2054 - 18th December 1942 For your tomorrow: A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 CWGC - Norman John Newall CWGC - Albert Patrick Mahony CWGC - Henry William Manfred Downard CWGC - David George Newlands CWGC - Richard Talbot Andrew Dumbo Diary RNZAF No. 6 (Flying Boat) Squadron 1939-1945 by Jenny Scott - Sunday 5 August 1945 Thanks to Jenny Scott for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated July 17, 2022 |
 Hudson  MIA / POW 4 Missing 1 Prisoners |
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