Australia’s War Diary

January-March, 1944.

50 Years Ago…

January 1-Bay of Biscay. F/Lt R Newton’s crew in Sunder- land JM686/2-Y claims a probable Ju 88. January 2/3-Target Berlin. Out of 383 aircraft, 27 Lancasters are lost in an ineffective raid. 460 Squadron loses those of F/Lt B Knyvett and F/Sgt R Rowley. Knyvett and crew are all killed when their Lancaster crashes just after takeoff. New Britain. For the Beauforts of 6, 8 and 100 Squadrons the main target is Rabaul. 35 aircraft bomb Lakunai, causing fires along the airfield. The Beaufort captained by F/OJ Goodwin of 8 Squadron is coned by searchlights and AA fire and fails to return. These night attacks supplement to the efforts of the US 13th Air Force, USN and the RNZAF bombing Rabaul during daylight hours.

January 4-Timor. Eight Beaufighters of 31 Squadron flying top cover for six 18 Squadron Mitchells en route to attack Tenau Harbour sight a lone Betty south of Cape Mali. S/Ldr Butch Gordon downs it in flames.

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