Lockheed L-414 Hudson

The twin engine airplane was shot down by a Japanese fighter and crashed into the sea off PNG. The exact place of occurrence remains unknown. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (8th Squadron):
F/O Kenneth Vernon Hewett +3.

The crew departed RAF North Coates at 2240LT on a local training exercise. On final approach to RAF Donna Nook close to RAF North Coates, the twin engine airplane overshot, and the captain initiated a go around procedure and increased engine power. Climbing to a height of 300 feet, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a huge explosion on the Operation Center of the airbase. All four crew members as well as 13 RAF personnel were killed. The explosion upon impact was favored by the presence of bombs on board the airplane.
Crew (407th Squadron):
P/O Roland Edison Dann, pilot,
F/Sgt Harry Arthur Wilkins, pilot,
Sgt John Clifton Gaudet, observer,
Sgt John Edward Duval, wireless operator and air gunner.
Those killed on the ground were:
AC2 Marcel Pietro Belcher,
AC1 William Henry Bell,
LAC Walter Edward Cooper,
AC1 Archibald Cruddas,
LAC James Elliott,
LAC Stanley Walter Friend,
AC1 Thomas Heath,
LAC William Conway Langley Pink,
LAC John Render,
Sgt Gerald Edward Anijah Romain,
AC1 George Shorrock,
LAC George Douglas Thomas,
AC2 Sidney Alexander Herbert Thurlow.

Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 200-300 feet, the left engine caught fire. The airplane stalled and crashed on the runway, bursting into flames. All 11 occupants were killed.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/Lt Robert Wylie Cuming, pilot,
P/O Robert Henry Martin, copilot,
P/O P. H. Richards,
Sgt J. Bessell-Browne.
Passengers:
Sgt A. E. Blake,
Sgt Henry Jennings Dean,
Sgt Kevin Henry Kelaher,
LAC O. F. E. Crawford,
LAC Edmund Geoffrey Mears,
LAC Vincent Harold Smith,
LAC Frank Morris.

The airplane departed Ambon-Laha Airfield on an aerial photography mission over the North Sulawesi Province. South of Manado, it was shot down by a Japanese Mitsubishi Zero, dove into the ground and crashed near Tondano. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (13th Squadron):
F/Lt Maurice Philip Willing,
Sgt William Henry Field,
Sgt Reginald Dixon Rutter,
LAC James Moore Cunneen.

While flying at night on a trip from Lae to Rabaul, the twin engine airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located in the region of the Kabu River. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.
Crew (24th Squadron):
F/Lt Paul Pryde Paterson,
F/O James Sinclair McIntyre,
Sgt Oliver Frederick George Claxton,
LAC James Arthur Wilson.

Shortly after takeoff from Ceduna, while climbing to a height of 400 feet, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in a field, bursting into flames. All six occupants were killed. Brand new, the airplane was on a delivery flight to Pearce and totalized 3,2 flying hours.
Crew:
F/Lt D. B. Bradley,
S/L G. Laming,
Sgt R. Dow,
Sgt R. W. Westcott,
Sgt F. A. Walker,
Cpl W. C. Lindsay.

The crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight with three other similar airplanes. While approaching the coast of Manado at a height of 12,000 feet, the twin engine airplane was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter. Out of control, it crashed into the sea off Manado. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/Lt Arthur Robert Barton, pilot,
F/O Samuel William Clifford, copilot,
Sgt Bernard Samuel Bates, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt John Lake Mills, wireless operator and air gunner.

The crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight with three others similar airplanes. While approaching the region of Manado at a height of 12,000 feet, the twin engine airplane was shot down by 5-7 Japanese fighters that included zeros and floatplane fighters. Out of control, it crashed near the village of Ranowangoko and was destroyed. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (13th Squadron):
F/Lt Geoffrey Sattler, pilot,
Sgt John Graham Goode, copilot,
Sgt Reginald Anthony Desmond Hunter, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Matthew Roscoe Hodgson, wireless operator and air gunner.

The crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight with three other similar airplanes. While approaching the coast of Manado at a height of 12,000 feet, the twin engine airplane was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter. Out of control, it crashed into the sea off Manado and was lost. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (2nd Squadron):
F/O Peter Creighton Gorrie, pilot,
Sgt Wesley Leonard Morgan,
Sgt John Edward Farrington,
Sgt K. R. T. McCrackan.

The crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight with three other similar airplanes. While approaching the coast of Manado at a height of 12,000 feet, the twin engine airplane was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter and crashed into the sea off Manado. Three crew were killed while the fourth swam 16 hours to reach the shore and was became a PoW.
Crew 2nd Squadron):
F/Lt Parker Henry Russell Hodge, pilot, †
P/O E. D. G. Howard, copilot,
Sgt Harold Claude Shore, †
Sgt Jack Mawdsley, wireless operator and air gunner. †