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NEIAF 18 Squadron |
Pilot Sgt Maj H van den Berg, 95421 NEIAF (KIA, BR) Co-Pilot Sgt A Bouwman, 93090 NEIAF (KIA, BR) Bombardier F/Sgt Ronald Lindsay Morrison, 401456 RAAF (KIA, BR) Black Rock, VIC W/AG F/Sgt Thomas Edward Williams, 404148 RAAF (KIA, BR) Hill End, QLD W/AG Sgt Gordon Francis Prichard, 414160 RAAF (KIA, BR) Charters Towers, QLD Crashed June 2, 1943 Aircraft History Built by North American. Constructors Number 94-12745. Delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25 serial number 42-32337. Assigned to the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) with serial number N5-150. Assigned to 18 Squadron. No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On June 2, 1943 took off from Darwin piloted by Sgt Maj H van den Berg as one of four B-25s on a mission against Japanese shipping in the anchorage off Lautem (Vila Nova Malaca) in the northeast of East Timor at 3:52pm. The formation broke through low clouds at about 2,000' and made independent attacks from different directions on three Japanese merchant vessels and one warship - probably a destroyer. Although the attacking run of N5-150 was not observed its bombs were seen to burst near the destroyer and the aircraft was last seen heading through thick weather towards the mainland of Timor on a bearing of approximately 160 degrees. There was intense anti-aircraft fire from the ships and shore defenses two of the other B-25s were damaged. Search A search by two B-25s the next day covering the Timor Sea within visual distance of Timor but found no trace of wreckage or any survivors. Recovery of Remains Postwar, the remains of all five crew were located and recovered by the Australian Army, 16 Australian War Graves Unit. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. The three Australians are buried in a joint grave at the Ambon War Cemetery at Ambon. Williams and Prichard are buried in joint grave 7. A. 11-12. Morrison is buried at 3. C. 9. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C-10 Mitchell 42-32337 "32337 to NEIAF as N5-150 - lost in action 6/43" Joe Baugher "B-25 Mitchell in Dutch Service" CWCG - Ronald Lindsay Morrison CWCG - Thomas Edward Williams CWGC - Gordon Francis Prichard Contribute
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