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| RAAF 11 Squadron Former Assignments Qantas Empire Airways |
Pilot FLGOFF Lincoln James Sloan, 2622 (KIA, BR) St. Lucia, QLD 2nd Pilot FLTLT Nelson Prior Reid, 557 (KIA, BR) Sherwood, QLD 1st Engineer CPL Neville L. Ernst, 12305 (KIA, BR) Rose Bay, NSW 2nd Engineer LAC Charles K. Matheson (KIA, BR) Eldorado, VIC 1st Wireless AC1 Keith M. Sidey, 34551 (KIA, BR) Bathurst, NSW 2nd Wireless AC1 Arthur W. Magee, 33987 (KIA, BR) Bondi. NSW Armorer AC1 George Peterson, 39219 (KIA, BR) Nailsworth, SA Rigger CPL Eric J. O’Donnell, 12257 (KIA, BR) Leonara, WA Crashed December 8, 1941 at 10:11pm Aircraft History Built by Consolidated. Constructors Number 322. Purchased by Qantas Empire Airways (QEA). On October 7, 1941 registered in Australia as VH-AFP. Wartime History During World War II, pressed into service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Catalina A24-15 and assigned to 11 Squadron operating from Fairfax Harbor off Port Moresby. No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engines Pratt & Whitney SC13G serial numbers: 7798 (starboard) and 7797 (port). Mission History On December 8, 1941 at 10:05pm piloted by FLGOFF Lincoln James Sloan taxied into Fairfax Harbor along a flare path armed with 4 x 250 pound G.P. bombs and 4 x 250 pound A. S. bombs. At 10:09, the control boat gave the signal to taxi, but instead this Catalina took off through the flare path and climbed to 100' then veered to the right and crashed Gemo Island (Hanudamua Island) on the eastern side near the center of the island. The left wingtip impacted first, causing the aircraft to nose in and burn on impact. Everyone aboard was killed in the crash. Recovery of Remains Immediately after the crash, a medical officer and party from the station proceeded to the crash site, but nothing could be done until the fire subsided and the remains of eight of the crew were recovered from inside the aircraft. Wreckage After the crash, the rudder trim was observed to have a 3° left bias and likely cause the crash. The crash was deemed to be caused by pilot error. The entire aircraft was written off as destroyed. On January 9, 1942 approved for conversion to parts. Today, nothing is left at the crash site aside from some molten aluminum and small pieces of wreckage. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. After the recovery of remains the entire crew was buried at Bomana War Cemetery. Sloan at B2. D. 5, Reid at B2. C. 25. Ernst at B2. C. 15. Matheson B2. C. 13. Sidey at B2. C. 18. Magee at B2. C. 19. Peterson at B2. C. 10. O’Donnell at B2. D. 1. References Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information. ADF Serials - Catalina A24-15 CWGC - Lincoln James Sloan CWGC - Nelson Prior Reid CWGC - Neville Lawrence Ernst CWGC - Charles K. Matheson CWGC - Keith Mighell Sidey CWGC - Arthur Wallace Magee CWGC - George Peterson CWGC - Eric J. O’Donnell RAAFDB - PBY Catalina A24-15 NAA "North Eastern Area Headquarters - Court of Inquiry - Catalina aircraft A24/15 - Port Moresby - 8/12/1941" A11083 / 906/34/P1/ 3080324 Thanks to Daniel Leahy, John Douglas, Keith Hopper and Tony Gridley for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated September 9, 2023 |
 PBY Map December 8, 1941 |
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