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| RAAF 3 OTU |
Pilot FltLt Brian Hartley Higgins, 400620 (KIA, BR) Wangaratta, VIC 2nd Pilot FlgOff Max Alexander Larkan, 409842 (KIA, BR) Elwood, VIC 2nd Pilot PltOff Alan Fullerton Craddock, 408799 (KIA, BR) Geelong, VIC WAG FlgOff Norman John Brown, 411992 (KIA, BR) Gmllhurn Fitter 2E Cpl Thomas Henry Poole, 19812 (KIA, BR) Bondi, NSW Fitter 2A LAC Henry George Lovett, 21419 (KIA, BR) Toronto Fitter 2E Cpl James Joffre David, 8164 (KIA, BR) East Fremantle, WA WAG Sgt John Johnson, 411710 (survived) West Maitland, NSW Armourer AC1 Kenneth Carlyle Stow, 72521 (survived) Darlington, NSW Crashed May 24, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego. Constructors Number 1100. Assigned U.S. Navy (USN) bureau number 08206. Shipped overseas to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Catalina A29-39. On February 18, 1943 assigned to 3 Operational Training Unit (3 OTU). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On May 24, 1943 took off on a mission piloted by FltLt Brian H. Higgins and crashed into the sea off Port Stephens, NSW. Seven of the crew was killed in the crash and two survived: Johnson and Stow. Memorials The deceased crew members were officially declared dead the day of the mission. The crew were buried at Newcastle War Cemetery (Sandgate). Higgins at plot F row D grave 11. Larkan at plot E row D grave 14 Craddock at plot E row D grave 16. Brown at plot E row D grave 13. Poole at plot E row D grave 15. Lovett at plot E row D grave 12. James at plot E row C grave 16. On June 3, 1943 in his honor, Bamaga Airfield was renamed "Higgins Field". References ADF Serials - Catalina A24-39 RAAFDB - PBY-5 Catalina A29-39 CWGC - Brian Hartley Higgins CWGC - Max Alexander Larkan CWGC - Alan Fullerton Craddock CWGC - Norman John Brown CWGC - Thomas Henry Poole CWGC - Henry George Lovett CWGC - James Joffre David WW2 Nominal Roll - John Johnson WW2 Nominal Roll - Kenneth Carlyle Stow Officially named 'Higgins Field' on June 3, 1943: "Announcement is hereby made that the airdrome now known as Jacky Jacky and/or Red Point, is officially designated 'Higgins Field' in honour of Flight Lieutenant Brian Hartley Higgins 400620, RAAF, killed on air operations 25 May 1943 - by command of Lieutenant General Kenney." Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated June 2, 2022 |
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