TWO CRASHES OF  BRISTOL BEAUFORT A9-5
ONE ACCIDENT AT MARLO
ON 7 NOVEMBER 1942
THE OTHER 5 MILES ENE OF BAIRNSDALE
ON 17 NOVEMBER 1942

Bristol Beaufort

RAAF Bristol Beaufort, Mark V, A9-5 (RAF Serial No. T9544), collided with some high tension wires while low flying at Marlo on 7 November 1942. The pilot was F/Lt. A.J. R. Oates.

Ten days later at 1400 hours E.A.S.T. on 17 November 1942 Beaufort A9-5 crashed 5 miles ENE of Bairnsdale airfield during a non-operational navigation reconnaissance flight.

The Beaufort's starboard engine or airscrew appeared to be unserviceable at 1000ft. The aircraft was fully laden with bombs at the time. The bombs were jettisoned at less than 200ft and at least two bombs exploded in one crater. The aircraft almost immediately crashed on its port wing tip. It was thought that the blast caused the pilot to lose control.

The four crew were killed as follows:-

F/O Frank Watson Wildy 415208 (pilot)
Sgt. Albert Arthur Adolph 413719 (Observer)
Sgt. Alan Francis Musgrave 409728 (Wireless Air Gunner)
Sgt. Ian Waldock Garside 409685 (Wireless Air Gunner)

This aircraft was delivered to the RAAF in December 1941. It was converted to components after the second crash.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I'd like to thank Rick Hanning for his assistance with the above information.

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 5 March 2000

This page last updated 22 February 2020