CRASH OF A BEAUFIGHTER
INTO THE SEA OFF WILLIAMTOWN, NSW
ON 8 NOVEMBER 1944

 

Beaufighter A19-4 of No. 5 Operational Training Unit 5 OTU RAAF was airborne at 2125 hours on 7 November 1944 on a night time cross country training flight between Williamtown-Tamworth-Dubbo and back to Williamtown. Four Beaufighters were taking part in this exercise.

The weather forecast at the time of take-off for the exercise route was "scattered thunderstorms with cloud base lowering to 1,000 feet and storms, the visibility generally 10 miles." At 2330 hours the weather appeared to be deteriorating around Dubbo so the four Beaufighters were ordered to return to Williamtown.

Three Beaufighters arrived over Williamtown at approximately 0030 hours. The weather at that time was quite clear, although there was a fairly strong wind blowing. All three Beaufighters were in contact with the airfield. Two Beaufighters landed and the third, which was A19-4, overshot on attempting to land at 0040 hours and attempted to go around again. This Beaufighter was last seen heading in a Southerly direction by the Duty Pilot Sergeant Victor Allenby Rose (419483) and the Officer-in-Charge of Night Flying Officer Colin Alexander Campbell, D.F.C. (406237). There no further sightings of Beaufighter A19-4 nor any radio communications.

A Confirmatory Memorandum on this accident by the Commanding Officer of 5 OTU at Williamtown dated 13 November 1944 stated:-

Part of the port inner petrol tank with the markings A19-4 and several other pieces of aircraft with the same markings have been washed up on the beach in the approximate position 32º 48½' South 151º 56' East.

The entire crew of this aircraft are missing believed killed.

Air and land parties are still carrying out an extensive search of coast in this vicinity.

The crew of Beaufighter A19-4 who died in this accident were:-

Warrant Officer Francis Edward Smallhorn (408882)
Sergeant Brian George Sparkman (438404)
Sergeant William Lawrence Mather (443344)

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Gordon Birket for his assistance with this web page.

 

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

 

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This page first produced 8 July 2022

This page last updated 08 July 2022