A24-49 Warwick Rose and crew

Details about those listed as missing or killed in the Pacific, including current search operations.

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Mike Rose
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A24-49 Warwick Rose and crew

Post by Mike Rose »

Hi,
I am looking for any information on the fate of A24-49 and its Crew. It departed Groote Eylandt on special operations the 28th of April 1944 and did not return.

I am attaching a photo of the Crew.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mike Rose
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Crew of A24-49
Crew of A24-49
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Mike Rose
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Re: A24-49 Warwick Rose and crew

Post by Mike Rose »

Back of Photo
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Warwick Rose back.jpg
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GordyB
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Location: Australia
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Re: A24-49 Warwick Rose and crew

Post by GordyB »

Hi Mike

Cat A24-49 FJ-L took off ex Groote Eylandt 1545 Hrs 28/04/44 to carry out a "special" mission near Manokwari, Dutch New Guniea. Designated lost after reaching its maximum endurance of possible flight at 1545hrs 29/04/44(24hours aloft).

Eye Witness report from a Sgt-Major Beaufort of NEI Forces who evaded capture around Manokwari, Dutch New Guniea, stated that a aircraft, believed to be a Catalina, crashed in flames nearby at the end of April 44. No parachutes seen, but he felt that some of the crew may have gotten out, as the aircraft was seen to be under some control.

Further information came by Dutch Headquarters at Manokwari that the local Japanese 20th Field Anti-Aircraft Gun Corps Headquarters fought a battle with a Catalina, thought to be a PBY-5, around 2236hrs on the 28/04/44. The aircraft, illuminated by search lights, was shelled by two AAA Units in the Vogelkop area. Post war it was the opiinion of F/lt M T O'Shea that the aircraft had come down in the nearby sea.

Regards
Gordy

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davidf
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Re: A24-49 Warwick Rose and crew

Post by davidf »

Mike and Gordy,

S/L Rundle led a RAAF searcher party which visited the Manokwari area between 5 June and 11 July 1947. This was after F/Lt O'Shea's report (23 Oct 1946) and Presumption of Death of the crew of A24-49 (4 Dec 1946).

1. It was concluded that the aircraft seen to crash by Sgt-Maj Beaufort was not a Catalina but most probably a Japanese twin engined aircraft which crashed at Wesoie near where Sgt Maj Beaufort was hiding at the time. This is more than 60 miles from Manokwari.

2. The information from the Japanese 20th Field AA HQ about a battle with a Catalina was in a letter from Lt Verkerke of Dutch HQ at Manokwari (dated March 14, 46). In this it was stated that the battle took place on the night of the 27th April 1944, not the 28th. This is consistant with the RAAF 11th Squadron Unit History, which describes an attack on Catalina FJ-G flown by S/L Coventry on the night of 27th April. The Japanese stated that this was the only ground attack the 20th Field AA made on a flying boat at Manokwari. So, A24-49 was not attacked by Japanese at Manokwari and may not have even reached their target.

Regards,
David.

[Ref: Casualty File, Sgt Herbert COATES 35037]

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