FORCED LANDING OF A BEAUFORT
ON WEST COAST OF THE GULF OF CARPENTARIA, QLD
ON 22 MARCH 1943

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At about 12:10 hrs on 22 March 1943, RAAF Beaufort A9-157 "Winnie the Pooh" made a forced landing due to bad weather on the west coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria near Janie Creek just south of Mapoon Mission Station. 12 Repair and Salvage Unit RAAF was despatched to recover the aircraft. On 30 March 1943 they reported that 150 mission personnel and 5 horses were used to tow the Beaufort 8 miles to Mapoon Mission Station, where it was dismantled and transported to Horn island in the Mission's 2 luggers.

The crew of A9-157 was as follows:-

Sgt. Alfred Richard Turner (408538)
Sgt. Edward Delaney (403259)
Cyril John Hughes (414405)
Herbert Bruce Melrose (406723)

The aircraft was converted to components in August 1943.

 


Photo:- via Jo Ross

Mission personnel and horses towing Beaufort A9-157 "Winnie the Pooh"

 


Photo:- via Jo Ross

Mission personnel with Beaufort A9-157 "Winnie the Pooh"

 

REFERENCE

"Units of the Royal Australian Air Force - A Concise History"
Volume 7 - Maintenance Units

 

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This page first produced 16 July 2000

This page last updated 16 April 2022