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| RAAF No. 4 Squadron Former Assignments 1 AD 5 SFTS   RAAF February 6, 1943 |
Pilot Flight Sergeant Arthur Rodbourn, 407806 (survived) Adelaide, SA Observer Sgt Alan E. Cole, 35725 (WIA) Destroyed February 6, 1943 Aircraft History Built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Constructor Number 648. On November 28, 1941 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as CA-9 Wirraway serial number A20-447. Wartime History Assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On December 7, 1941 assigned to 5 SFTS. On August 5, 1942 while parked at Uranquinty Airfield damaged by taxing Wirraway A20-542. Repaired by CAC by November 16, 1942 and returned to 5 SFTS by December 20, 1942. On January 8, 1943 assigned to No. 4 Squadron. On February 6, 1943 took off from Berry Drome (12 Mile Drome) near Port Moresby piloted by Flight Sergeant Arthur Rodburn with observer Sgt Alan E. Cole on a reconnaissance and artillery observation mission and landed at Wau Airfield. Moments after landing, pilot Rodburn and observer Cole exited the plan and laid flat on the ground when the air raid alarm was sounded before a formation of Japanese planes approaced including Ki-48 Lily from 45th Sentai escorted by 29 Ki-43-I Oscars from 11th Sentai. The Lilys bombed Wau Airfield and a near miss destroyed the parked Wirraway. Cole was wounded by shrapnel in the left shoulder. As this aircraft burned, a photograph was taken of the wreckage that was included in the RAAF Official History. Officially, stricken on April 5, 1943. References No. 4 Squadron Operations Record Book (ORB) - February 6, 1943 "6.2.43 – 2 Sorties - Recce and Arty obs. Wau. A20-447 totally destroyed on ground, enemy bombing attack WAU strip. A20-395 & A20-395 slightly damaged. Sgt Cole A. E. (Observer) minor shrapnel wound left shoulder." Aircraft Status Card (Form E/E.88) Wirraway M.K. II A20-447 AWM 128154 incorrectly lists the pilot's name as "Rodburn" RAAF Official History 1939-1942 page 611 (photo) WW2 Nominal Roll - Arthur Rodbourn WW2 Nominal Roll - Alan Ernest Cole ADF Serials - Wirraway A20-447 incorrectly states destroyed at Port Moresby The Private War Diary of Captain Samuel Cutler, Army Air Corps US Forces in Australia, 1942-1944, page 78 [caption incorrectly identifies as Japanese wreckage at Kokoda] The Battle for Wau page 215 Thanks to Daniel Leahy and Richard Dunn 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 January 12, 2024 |
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