CRASH OF AN OXFORD
AFTER COLLISION WITH A BOOMERANG
1 MILE WEST OF LAVERTON AIRFIELD, VIC
ON 4 AUGUST 1943

At approximately 1630 hours on 4 August 1943, Boomerang A46-103 piloted by Squadron Leader James Herbert Harper AFC (251382) collided with Oxford BF983 of 1 SFTS, Point Cook resulting in the three occupants of the Oxford being killed as follows:-

F/Sgt Thomas Harley Hart (411141) - pilot
Sgt Kenneth George Dawson (424859)
Sgt Victor Keith Caiger (424963)

All are buried in Springdale War Cemetery, Melbourne. The Boomerang was able to land safely back at the airfield.

The Oxford was flying in a southerly direction approximately 1 1/2 miles west of Laverton Airfield. Squadron Leader Derek Randal Cuming (250553) flying Wirraway A20-536 during the course of photographing Boomerang A46-103 of 1 A.D. was overtaking the Oxford well clear on its starboard side. Apparently the Wirraway was obscuring Squadron Leader Harper's view of the Oxford, and just as the Wirraway drew level with the Oxford for the purpose of photographing it, Squadron Leader Harper changed position from the starboard side to the port side of the Wirraway in order to place himself in the correct position in relation to the camera and the sun.

Squadron Leader Harper's attention was momentarily focused on the Wirraway and from the photographs taken just prior to the collision, the rear view mirror in the Boomerang prevented Squadron Leader Harper from catching a glimpse of the Oxford out of the corner of his eye, and he did not see it until his port wing tip was virtually hitting the tail of the Oxford. The wing cut through the rear of the fuselage of the Oxford, causing it to spin into the ground. The wing of the Boomerang was rather badly damaged near the tip, and the port outer aileron hinge bracket was broken. Squadron Leader Harper maintained control of the Boomerang and landed it back on the Laverton Airfield.

Victor Keith Caiger (424963)

Victor Keith Caiger (424963)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank John Williams for his assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 24 September 2019

This page last updated 03 February 2020