CRASH OF A JAPANESE "DINAH"
ABOUT 200 YARDS OFFSHORE
NEAR TRUSCOTT AIRFIELD, WA
ON 20 JULY 1944

Mitsubishi Ki-46-II "Dinah"

Mitsubishi Ki-46-II "Dinah" reconnaissance aircraft of the 70^th Dokuritsu Hiko Chutai based at Koepang left its base at approximately 0730 hours (NT local time) on 20 July 1944. The crew were Lt Kiyoshi Izuka (pilot) and Lt Hisao Itoh (Observer). 

The Japanese "Dinah" was detected by No 326 Radar Station RAAF at Cape Leveque and logged at 0835 hours. Flight Lieutenants Gossland and Meakin and Flight Sergeant Knapp of 54 Squadron RAF were placed on alert and were scheduled to scramble at 0845 hours to intercept the Japanese aircraft.

The three Spitfires intercepted the "Dinah" as it was about to arrive over Truscott airfield. Flt Lt. Gossland made the first attack, hitting the "Dinah's" engines, port wing and fuselage. The "Dinah" went down steeply towards the water and Flt. Lt. Meakin followed it down, his rounds taking the starboard wing off the Japanese aircraft.

The wreckage of the "Dinah" was discovered by an American at low tide the following day, at a location approximately 200 yards off shore. The remains of the "Dinah" were loaded on to a barge on 27 July 1944 and were transported to West Bay. The bodies of the Japanese airmen were not found in the aircraft. The only remains that were found was apparently several pieces of flesh. It is believed that these remains were buried in a quiet spot on the beach near where the aircraft crashed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Daniel Leahy for his assistance with this web page.

REFERENCES

"Truscott - The Diary of Australia's Secret Wartime Kimberley Airbase 1943-1946"
by John and Carol Beasy

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 16 April 2007

This page last updated 02 February 2020