Australia’s War Diary

50 Years Ago…

May 1-Bay of Biscay. F/O E Smith and crew of 461 Squadron in Sunderland DV968/M damage the German submarine U-415. May 2-Australia. The Japanese raid Darwin with 21 escorted Bettys. For six kills, 14 Spitfires are lost, five in combat. F/Os G Gifford (A58-67) of 457 Squadron and McNab (A58-12) of 452 Squadron are killed, and six bail out. Nine Spitfires are lost through either engine failure or fuel shortage. Meanwhile, AVM Bladin, surmising the Japanese would land at Penfoei after the raid, sends a flight of 31 Squadron Beaufighters to strafe. W/Cdr C Read & F/O J Marr (A19-72) destroy two fighters and F/O K MacDonald & P/O F Magee (A19-58) two bombers.

Bay of Biscay. 461 Squadron’s first U-boat sinking. F/O E Smith and crew attack the U-332. After the Sunderland’s second attack the German crew abandon ship.

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