Tumult In The Clouds, aka Aircrew Losses of the RAAF

[Dean]

I am still working on retreiving my working copies of my work on RAAF Aircrew Losses but have encountered several setbacks which may make it difficult.

In saying that as a back up can anyone who has received a copy of this WIP please let me know the date on last update on the files you receieved please? Also if anyone has any copies of my work on Brothers in the RAAF please let me know.

Fell free to post in here the dates on your files.

Thanks
Dean

[Warhawk]

Hi Dean,

I think my copy is a 2004 version. But I having been resting on my laurels, and have been very deep in getting those accidents and losses per crews details on Wirraways, Spitfires and Hudsons per 1940-1945.

I'm about to send to Daz, the whole known content of the first 100 ( yes A16-1 to A16-100) losses for updating.

Shame though as the final airframe, #A16-100, is without names of the crew.

A16-100 Nose #351 Rec 1AD ex USA 20/06/40. In service 2 Sqn RAAF 15/09/40. Accident forced landing in sea off Bathurst Island 20/03/42. Aircraft ran out of fuel on single engine flight back from Koepang after loosing Port engine. Aircraft landed in 4 foot of water. NFD on Crew details.

But,...a good exampled serial is:

A16-79 Nose#330 Rec 2AD ex USA 02/04/40. Issued to 2 Sqn RAAF. Coded with Unit "B" Letter. Rec 2AD ex 2 Sqn RAAF 28/12/42. Issued 2Sqn RAAF same day. Accident and loss, 1830hrs local time Koepang, Timor 20/01/42 when after taking off after being grossly overloaded aircraft evacuating RAAF Crews from impending invasion, climbed very steeply after take-off, reaching some 200-300 feet when the port engine burst into flames before stalling, wheeling over and crashing back onto airstrip and exploding into flames. Crew; F/Lt Robert Wylie Cuming Serv#200540 (Pilot), P/O Robert Henry Martin Serv#401464, P/O P.H. Richards Serv#407592, Sgt J. Bessell-Browne Serv#406205, Sgt A.E. Blake Serv#4560 (W/AG), Sgt Henry Jennings Dean Serv#3934, Sgt Kevin Henry Kelaher Serv#403287 (W/AG), LAC O.F.E. Crawford Serv#19485, LAC Edmund Geoffrey Mears Serv#19266, LAC Vincent Harold Smith Serv#30308 and AC Frank Morris Serv#16698 all killed.Rapid and incorrect trim adjustment or structual failure following loss of port engine deemed responsible.SOC 19/02/42. Crash witnessed by Geoffrey R Davey (JP) ex RAAF Retired as stated officially in 1991.

Puts an end to the lightning strike version!

Another good example:
A16-36 Nose# 287 Rec 2AD ex USA 09/02/40.Issued 14Sqn RAAF 02/05/40. Rec 13Sqn ex 14 Sqn 28/12/41.Rec 1OTU ex 5AD 09/06/42.1 OTU. Used in Port Moresby by 1OTU 23/11/42 to 17/12/42 with 14 other Hudsons as part of Special Transport Flight. As one of three Hudson on supply missions that day(with A16-1 and A16-127), A16-36 crashed 1 and a half miles north of Jumbori, Papua by ground fire while dropping supplies at 1515Hrs on the 15/12/42. The Hudson had completed three sorties to and from Soputa to drop ammunition to Australian troops fighting in the area that day and was on its fourth flight (Took off at 1425Hrs). On this supply run, the aircraft was seen banking away from Supota Strip at 100feet after dropping supplies. It then nosed up another 100feet and then dived into the trees near the strip. Australian Army personel were seen running to the wreck site. Three of the crew, Sqn Ldr W A Pedrina Serv#264, F/O D B Kerr Serv#416341 and Sgt A R Itzerote Serv#40750 were killed when the plane crashed and burst into flames. F/Sgt Leo Charles Callaghan serv#300400 was the turret gunner whom Australian Commandos pulled out of the wreck. F/Lt Cornwall, Captain of A16-1, did not see any AAA Fire. Callaghan in 3MSR Hospital in MOresby on the 17/12/42 was interviewed by Sqn Ldr O Hall, the 1OTU Detachment Commander, and stated that following a burst from below, Pedrina had stated that he was hit and then the aircraft crashed. Callaghan remembered nothing more of that day post crash. Local Military Authories stated to Sqn Ldr O Hall on the 17/12/42 that A16-36 was shot down.

So in essence, we can help "rebuild" a even better updated version if in time it needs to be done. :huh:

Best
Gordy





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[darren.crick]

was there a DL-C?? :D

[darren.crick]

Gordy, can wait to get that 100 updates mate and get em online!!!

Dean, I am sure this is also the case for other updates over time... you can contact the page editors direct using the standard email addresses. some of the data would also be on this messageboard no doubt...

[Warhawk]

LoL

I get the DL-C,.. funny ,..but then try 54Sqn 's EE605

My copies are 2002 Dean,..but as Daz says, we've all progressed alot.
I have tons, that I haven't looked at yet per Europe and Article 15 Squadrons, since I'm working on three types.


Gordy B)

[Dean]

Just thought you all might like to know that I should have all my work up and running again in about a little over 2 weeks.

This post has been edited by Dean on Nov 8 2007, 09:04 PM

[darren.crick]

How close have you got to what you had???

[Dean]

Once I get it back it should be almost everything. BTW I didn't lose the information as a result of ANY computer crash, more that everything (discs, hardcopies, laptop) was removed from my possession.

[Warhawk]

Ah,..they know how to hurt Mate,.. :o

I had to give up Max my 4 year old Black and tan Shepard,..made the house and land "Wife" package complete I dare say.

Sad part was that I had just built the house some months before the next door Truckie became too neighbourly like. :angry:

Gordy,..."what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger" kind of Guy :blink:

[Dean]

Ouch!

[darren.crick]

good to hear its almost back on track...

[herkman]

I suspect that you and I are walking the same track.

I iften think of you and the dificulties in trying to get to a degree of normality.

I trust that it all works out OK

Regards

Col

[gordon]

My Tumult copies are very old July 2002 and Feb 2003. I hope u manage to get all of Tumult back and uptodate as it is a great work.

Gordon

[Dean]

I have my laptop back and therefore all my work too, and unmolested. The only thing I am missing is about 40 CD-R's/DVD's which had a wealth of information on them.