Catalina A24-49
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:27 pm
The Daily Updates area of this site provides a link for contributions of information. Over the past three years I have provided information via that link to update or correct information, however none have seen the light of day. One was regarding Val 3304 along with others.
In light of this, I provide the following information regarding the loss of A24-49 which appeared recently in the Daily Update area.
- A24-49 was a PBY-5 not a PBY-5A and was c/n 1199 BuNo. 8285. The squadron code/letter was assigned on 1 March 1944 and was FJ-A.
- The Mission History states it made a forced landing near Moegim village - this is wrong. The aircraft disappeared between Groote Eylandt and Manokwari and no trace of it or the crew have been found.
- There is no record of a RAAF Catalina crashing into the sea near Biak on that date.
- ADF Serial site states that the aircraft crashed near Horn Island as does the Ozatwar site. The information may have been extracted from RAAF records, however it is obviously wrong.
- In References it states a NEI SgtMaj saw the aircraft go down, however a later interview confirmed that he was some 60km away from Manokwari.
- Japanese A-A HQ confirmed they had fired on a Catalina however it was on the night 27 April 1944 and not the 28th. This is confirmed in the 11 and 20 Squadron Operational Records.
- The suggestion that a wheel from the Catalina was found clearly negates any argument that it may have been A24-49 as the PBY-5 model did not have an undercarriage.
The final report by Keith Rundle, CO of the RAAF Searcher Party confirms his belief that the aircraft failed to reach the target area and may have disappeared somewhere after taking off from Groote Eyelandt. The report by WOff Heywood of the RAAF Searcher Party also states that "there is no real evidence that this a/c ever reached the target."
In researching all the available information and material available for a book on the disappearance for the pilot's nephew, I could only conclude that the aircraft disappeared shortly after take off - no reports of any aircraft overflying the Aroe or Kai islands on which the Japanese were based along with 934 Ku floatplanes was uncovered suggesting the Catalina may not have reached that far north.
Trust this helps clarify the information available in the Daily Updates area.
Bob Alford
Lampang Thailand
In light of this, I provide the following information regarding the loss of A24-49 which appeared recently in the Daily Update area.
- A24-49 was a PBY-5 not a PBY-5A and was c/n 1199 BuNo. 8285. The squadron code/letter was assigned on 1 March 1944 and was FJ-A.
- The Mission History states it made a forced landing near Moegim village - this is wrong. The aircraft disappeared between Groote Eylandt and Manokwari and no trace of it or the crew have been found.
- There is no record of a RAAF Catalina crashing into the sea near Biak on that date.
- ADF Serial site states that the aircraft crashed near Horn Island as does the Ozatwar site. The information may have been extracted from RAAF records, however it is obviously wrong.
- In References it states a NEI SgtMaj saw the aircraft go down, however a later interview confirmed that he was some 60km away from Manokwari.
- Japanese A-A HQ confirmed they had fired on a Catalina however it was on the night 27 April 1944 and not the 28th. This is confirmed in the 11 and 20 Squadron Operational Records.
- The suggestion that a wheel from the Catalina was found clearly negates any argument that it may have been A24-49 as the PBY-5 model did not have an undercarriage.
The final report by Keith Rundle, CO of the RAAF Searcher Party confirms his belief that the aircraft failed to reach the target area and may have disappeared somewhere after taking off from Groote Eyelandt. The report by WOff Heywood of the RAAF Searcher Party also states that "there is no real evidence that this a/c ever reached the target."
In researching all the available information and material available for a book on the disappearance for the pilot's nephew, I could only conclude that the aircraft disappeared shortly after take off - no reports of any aircraft overflying the Aroe or Kai islands on which the Japanese were based along with 934 Ku floatplanes was uncovered suggesting the Catalina may not have reached that far north.
Trust this helps clarify the information available in the Daily Updates area.
Bob Alford
Lampang Thailand