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  Avro Anson Mark I Serial Number AW659 Nose Number 59
RAAF
9 CU

Former Assignments
33 Squadron
1 AD
1 CF
6 SFTS
Guinea Airways
15 ARD
15 ARD

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AWM c1943
Pilot  FSgt David Ronald Restall Walter, RAAF 417251 (WIA, survived)
2nd Pilot  FSgt Arnold Bruce Gillam, RAAF 408399 (KIA / BR) Whitmore, Tasmania
Passenger  Sgt Benjamin H. Johns, U.S. Army 36210043 (survived)
Passenger  Pfc Clifford A. Baur, U.S. Army QM Corps 38034100 (KIA / BR) Moulton, TX
Crashed  March 14, 1944

Aircraft History
Built as Avro as a Model 652A between July 1941–February 1942. Contract B137211/40. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number ç. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and retained the RAF serial number with nose number 59 (last two digits of the serial number) in white on the nose.

Wartime History
On October 9, 1941 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On November 16, 1941 assigned to No. 1 Communication Flight (No. 1 CF). On December 13, 1941 to No. 6 Service Flying Training School (No. 6 SFTS).

On July 7, 1942, took off piloted by P/O Mitchell, with a crew of Sgt Baker and Sgt Produfoot and while landing at night at Maitland Airfield in NSW struck overhead wires then hit a private car injuring three civilians and sustained damage. On July 13, 1942 to Guinea Airways for repairs.

On June 7, 1943 assigned to No. 33 Squadron and operated from Berry Drome (12 Mile) near Port Moresby flying cargo to smaller airfields in support of Australian forces.

On June 20, 1943 while parked at Kokoda Airfield struck by a jeep driven by W/O Coogan and sustained minor damage.

On July 24, 1943 took off from Berry Drome (12 Mile) piloted by F/Sgt Wright on a flight to Garaina Airfield delivering 850lbs of cargo and afterwards returned.

On September 28, 1943 to 15 ARD. On October 24, 1943 assigned to 1 RCS. On November 4, 1943 assigned to 9 Communication Unit (9 CU).

Mission History
On March 14, 1944 at 11:00am took off from Garaina Airfield piloted by F/Sgt David R. R. Walter on a flight bound for 12 Mile Drome (Berry Drome) near Port Moresby. Aboard were two Americans from U.S. Army Graves Registration Service (AGRS) Sgt Johns and Pfc Baur who were transporting the remains of ten Americans recovered from the crash site of a B-24 Liberator that crashed in the vicinity approximately one year earlier.

Roughly ten minutes into the fight, the pilot noticed the rate of climb was negligible and the power was falling off. Pilot Walter attempted to make a wheels up landing in flat patch of kunai grass but instead crashed into the jungle due to engine failure roughly 15 miles southwest of Garaina. On impact, two were thrown clear of the crash and survived: Walter and Johns. The other two crew died on impact: Gillam and Baur.

Fates of the Crew
Walter was injured and Johns was unhurt. Both crew were later rescued.

Recovery of Remains
Afterwards, the bodies of Gillam and Baur were recovered. It is unclear of the remains of the B-24 crew were also recovered.

Wreckage
Afterwards, assigned to 15 ARD. On May 12, 1944 approved for conversion to components.

Memorials
F/Sgt Gillam is buried at the Bomana War Cemetery at B2. F. 17. The burials of Baur is unknown but presumed to be in the United States.

References
British Aviation - Avro 652A Anson (Military Variants)
750 aircraft ordered from A.V. Roe & Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, to contract B137211/40, Avro Works Order 7799 Delivered between July 1941 and February 1942. (AW653 - AW697)
"Anson Mk.Is Supplied Under The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan/Empire Air Training Scheme, Joint Air Training Scheme and Rhodesian Air Training Group"
ADF Serials - Avro Anson AW659
Avro Anson [RAF Serial Numbers] [Accidents Part 1] (NAA: A9845, 59)
33 Squadron Operations Record Book (NAA: A9186) - 19 July 1943 to 25 July 1943 page 802
CWGC - Arnold Bruce Gillam, 408399
FindAGrae - PFC Clifford Adolph Baur (grave photo)
Thanks to Edward Rogers and Daniel Leahy for additional information

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Last Updated
July 26, 2023

Tech Info
Anson
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