CRASH OF AN AIRSPEED OXFORD
ON THE NORTH SHORE OF VICTORIAN LAGOON
BETWEEN LAKE VICTORIA AND LAKE WELLINGTON
ON 19 SEPTEMBER 1943

Airspeed Oxford

An Airspeed Oxford BG-119 from No 1 O.T.U crashed on the North Shore of Victorian Lagoon between Lake Victoria and Lake Wellington at 1645 hrs E.S.T. on 19 September 1943 with the loss of all occupants. One of those killed was "Clicker" Clarke. He had previously served in Malaya with Jack Woodward.

The Oxford was seen to go into a steep left-hand turn, then onto its back. It then rolled out, the nose went up, then the aircraft fell into a dive. When it struck the ground it exploded and was completely disintegrated. During the dive, smoke was seen coming from the port engine. All crew were killed as follows:-

Pilot F/Sgt. J.A.Layton. 415584
Nav W/O G.W. Clarke 405042
Nav F/Sgt. T.C. Anderson 413521

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I'd like to thank Rick Hanning for the above details of how the crash occured, its location and the crew information.

REFERENCE BOOKS

"Three Times Lucky"
By Jack Woodward

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 14 August 1999

This page last updated 22 February 2020