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  DAP Beaufort Mark VIII Serial Number A9-204  
RAAF
100 Squadron

Pilot  F/O Thomas Hessey Allanson, 415106 (MIA / KIA) Como, WA
Observer
 F/O Mervyn Noel Keehn, 405193 (MIA / KIA) North Ipswich, QLD
WAG  FLTSGT Denis Hamlin Webb, 405458 (MIA / KIA) Dalby, QLD
WAG  FLTSGT Keith Grieve, 405850 (MIA / KIA) Randwick, NSW

Crashed  September 4, 1943

Aircraft History
Built by the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Beaufort Mark VIII serial number A9-204.

Wartime History
Assigned to No. 100 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art.

On May 20, 1943 took off from Vivigani Airfield on Goodenough Island piloted by P/O Parsons at 7:25am on search mission (Gur 87) on a reconnaissance mission over area "C" with nil results and landed at 11:38am.

On May 21, 1943 took off from Vivigani Airfield on Goodenough Island piloted by P/O Waters on search mission (Gur 91) for missing Beaufort A9-188 and returned with nil sightings by 1:31pm.

Mission History
On September 4, 1943 took off from Vivigani Airfield on Goodenough Island piloted by F/O Thomas Hessey Allanson on a bombing mission against Gasmata Airfield. Over the target, shot down by anti-aircraft fire in the target vicinity. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Officially written off on September 9, 1943.

Wreckage
During April 1946, this Beaufort was located by a RAAF Searcher Team led by S/L Keith Rundle. The remains of the crew were located and recovered.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized on the Rabaul Memorial at Bita Paka Cemetery. Allanson and Keehn panel 34. Grieve and Webb on panel 35.

References
NAA RAAF Unit History sheets (Form A50) [Operations Record Book - Forms A50 and A51] Number 100 Squadron Mar 42 - Aug 46 (NAA: A9186, 123) page 225
"4/Sept/43 Strike against Gasmata - Ten aircraft from this squadron participated. A9-204 shot down by enemy A. A. fire and crashed. Crew posted as 'Missing, Believed killed' and comprised of F/O T. H. Allanson, pilot."
CWGC - Thomas Hessey Allanson
CWGC - Mervyn Noel Keehn
CWGC - Denis Hamlin Webb
CWGC - Keith Grieve
ADF Serials - Beaufort A9-204



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Last Updated
September 6, 2022

Tech Info
Beaufort

MIA
MIA
4 Missing
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