CRASH OF A VENTURA
12 MILES FROM EAST SALE, VICTORIA
ON 23 FEBRUARY 1945

On 23 February 1945, RAAF Ventura, A59-9, ex #41-38108, (FD656), c/n 4764, crashed and disintegrated approximately 12 miles from East Sale in Victoria at 1435 hours. It was taking part in a non-operational radar test when the aircraft struck the ground at high speed, breaking up over a wide area.

All of the crew were killed as follows:-

F/O William Charles Thomas Robinson (415551) (pilot) of 1 OTU
W/O John James Lord (409158) of 7 OTU
Sgt. John Joseph Drake (50354) of 1 OTU
Sgt. Alan Murray McKay (409479) of 1 OTU
LAC Marcus Rosalky (72799) of 1 OTU
LAC Killems Richards Davey (141547) of 1 OTU

They were all buried at the Sale War Cemetery on 26 February 1945.

Refer RAAF Accident Report: No. 582 of 1944/45

This aircraft had been originally received at 2AD on 18 May 1943. It started with 1OTU at East Sale in Victoria on 14 April 1944.

After the accident the aircraft was eventually "struck of charge" on 19 March 1945.

REFERENCE BOOKS

"Lockheed Ventura in Australia : Deliveries - Uses - Fates"
Information compiled by Bert Cookson, Geoff Goodall and others
and edited for Newsletter by John Hopton.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 28 July 1999

This page last updated 22 February 2020