RAAF
76 Squadron
Ken Beohm 1942
September 1942
1990
Justin
Taylan 2003
Daniel
Leahy 2004
Pilot Squadron
Leader Peter St George Bruce Turnbull (KIA)
Crashed August 27,
1942
Pilot History
Peter Turnbull was one of the leading fighter pilots of the RAAF,
and had been credited with 12 kills in North Africa
and at Port Moresby, and was awarded the DFC.
Mission History
Took off on a search mission over Japanese positions at K. B. Mission. Crashed near Sanderson Bay at Milne Bay. The cause of the crash was never established,
but it was believed he was hit by small arms fire.
One of the 50 caliber machine guns was recovered from the wreck by 61 Battalion and is today displayed at the Australian War Memorial.
Recovery of Remains
The wreckage was discovered on September 4, 1942. Turnbull's body was recovered, and at first temporarily buried at Milne Bay Cemetery. The nearby airstrip at Milne Bay was named Turnbull
Airfield in his honor. Later, he was permanently interred at Bomana War Cemetery.
Wreckage
The wreckage was discovered on September 4, 1942. During the early 1970s a New Zealander was halted from exporting this wreck. He had transported portions of it to the Milne Bay dock for export. The rest of the wreckage remains to this day.
P-40
Photo Archive
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