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Operation: Bombing installations at Salamaua, New Guinea
Date: 18th March 1943 (Wednesday)
Unit No: 22 (City of Sydney) Squadron RAAF, 77 Strike Wing, 1st Tactical Air Force
Type: Boston III
Serial: A28-3 *
Code: DU:Y
Base: Wards Airbase, Port Moresby, New Guinea
Location: Sea south of Salamaua Harbour, New Guinea
Pilot: Flt Lt. William Ellis ‘Bill’ Newton, VC. 250748 RAAF Age 23. Murdered (1)
Wireless/Air Gnr: Flt Sgt. John Lyon 401706 RAAF Age 26. Murdered (2)
Wireless/Air Gnr: Sgt. Basil Gilbert Eastwood 13055 RAAF Age 31. MiA
* DB-7B Boston III A28-3 was previously RAF Serial AL887
Above left to right: Flt Lt. William Ellis ‘Bill’ Newton, VC (Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial); Flt Sgt. John Lyon and Sgt. Basil Gilbert Eastwood (From their Service Records)
REASON FOR LOSS:
On the morning of the 18th March 1943, starting at 09:00 hrs, six aircraft, including A28-3, took off from Wards Airbase, Port Moresby, New Guinea. They were detailed to attack Japanese installations, building and storage dumps on the NW foreshore of the Salamaua Harbour.
Above: Near Port Moresby, Papua. C. 1942-12. Three Boston bomber aircraft of No. 22 squadron RAAF return to their base at Port Moresby in perfect formation after a successful strike. In the background is a glimpse of some of the rugged mountain country which adds to the hazards of flying in the new guinea area. (Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial)
They arrived over the target at 10:00 hrs and commenced their attack from the NNW going in low-level and low-dive alternatively, dropping their respective bombs in a stick. The low-level aircraft dropped their bombs against dispersed fuel and stores dumps, whilst the low-dive aircraft selected individual buildings as their targets. When the formation attacking in a wave and were within a ½ mile of the target, heavy Anti-Aircraft (A/A) from Macdonald’s Junction was seen to engage the aircraft.
A28-3 was seen to drop its bombs accurately, starting a fire in the Picture Theatre which continued to burn for over 8 hours. After passing over the target and when approximately over Macdonald’s Junction in the vicinity of Cape LoguiA28-3 was hit by A/A fire and burst into flames. Within a few seconds the entire fuselage aft of the Pilots compartment was a ball of fire. At this stage the engines were not on fire and the pilot definitely had control.
Whilst losing height over approximately 40 seconds the Pilot turned the aircraft slightly to the right, apparently to bring it a little nearer to the foreshore, while at the same time taking the aircraft SE over Bayern Bay and as far as possible away from the enemy at Salamaua.
Shortly after straightening up his turn the pilot apparently throttled down and executed an excellent landing on the water approximately 1000 yds from the shore, ½ mile south of Laupui Point and about 2 miles south from Salamaua.
The aircraft skimmed over the water for approximately 150 yards, the pilot apparently using the elevators to keep the tail down and the nose up before coming to rest approximately 1000 yards out from the shore-line The nose went down as far as the base of the radio aerial immediately the aircraft came to rest. Within a few seconds of taking up this nose down attitude in the water the aircraft sank leaving two of the crew in the water. When spotted they were seen swimming strongly for the shore and it was estimated that they had approximately 600 yards to go before reaching the shore.
One of the formation left immediately for base to report the matter so that a standing air patrol could be organised, whilst the remainder of the formation took up a defensive orbit around the two crew, to prevent enemy launches putting out from Salamaua. These aircraft remained in the area for 35 minutes until fuel shortage dictated that they return to base.
One hour later a B-25 with fighter escort, was despatched to the scene with a dinghy, and on return reported seeing no sign of the crew or enemy personnel. Following this, two aircraft from the Unit were despatched to conduct a search. After detailed flying in the immediate area for 45 minutes, they returned with nothing to report. It was subsequently recommended that all three of the aircrew be classed under the category "Missing on Active Service, particulars unknown".
However, it was established from enemy sources that Flt Lt. Newton and Flt Sgt. Lyon had been captured by the Japanese Sasebo 5, Special Naval Landing Party (SNLP), No.1 Company only one day after the ditching.
They were taken to the Japanese Naval Headquarters at Lae where they were subjected to interrogation at the highest level. Flt Sgt. Lyon was bayonetted to death at Lae on or about the 20th March 1943 under the orders and in the presence of Rear Admiral (Kaigun-shōshō) FUJITA, OC of the Imperial Japanese Naval Forces in the area and his Chief-of-Staff Commander (Kaigun-chūsa) MUCHAKU.
The Japanese word Kaigun preceding a rank indicates that it relates to the Navy.
On orders of Rear Admiral (Kaigun-shōshō) FUJITA, Flt Lt. Newton was sent back to Salamaua to be executed in accordance with the Samurai Code by the unit which captured him. He was beheaded on the 29th March 1943 at 01:10 hrs by Sub-Lieutenant (Kaigun-chūi) KOMAI, Uichi, the CO of No.1 Company, Sasebo 5, SNLP. A Japanese soldier who witnessed the execution stated that Flt Lt. Newton met his fate with calm unflinching courage.
Flt Lt. Newton's remains were recovered from a large water logged bomb crater, after it was drained, about 30 feet from the sea at Kila Point in October 1943. After identification he was subsequently buried in Salamaua War Cemetery on the 17th December 1943. Flt Lt. Newton, VC. Was finally laid to rest in 1946 at the Lae War Cemetery along with Flt Sgt. Lyon.
With the cessation of hostilities the long search for Sub-Lieutenant (Kaigun-chūi) KOMAI and witnesses to the murders began. The task was a difficult one, due in large measure to the disbanding of the Sasebo 5, SNLP from the Japanese order of battle early in 1944.
The Australian Military Authorities responsible for the investigation of war crimes found that all major Japanese involved in the executions at Salamaua and Lae where either killed in later fighting or by their own hand before they could be brought to trial. Sub-Lieutenant (Kaigun-chūi) KOMAI, who was accorded the "honour" of beheading Flt Lt. Newton was killed in action in the Philippines Islands on the 14th February 1945.
Rear Admiral (Kaigun-shōshō) FUJITA and Commander (Kaigun-chūsa) MUCHAKU both committed suicide at the end of hostilities in order to escape punishment.
(1) Flt Lt. Newton was recommended to receive the Victoria Cross (VC) for this and preceding actions. The London Gazette dated 19th October 1943 promulgated the following:
The KING has been graciously pleased, on the advice of Australian Ministers, to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery:
Citation: “Flight Lieutenant William Ellis NEWTON (Aus. 250748), Royal Australian Air Force, No. 22 (RAAF) Squadron (missing).
Flight Lieutenant Newton served with No. 22 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, in New Guinea from May, 1942, to March, 1943, and completed 52 operational sorties.
Throughout, he displayed great courage and an iron determination to inflict the utmost damage on the enemy. His splendid offensive flying and fighting were attended with brilliant success.
Disdaining evasive tactics when under the heaviest fire, he always went straight to his objectives. He carried out many daring machine-gun attacks on enemy positions involving low-flying over long distances in the face of continuous fire at point-blank range. On three occasions, he dived through intense anti-aircraft fire to release his bombs on important targets on the Salamaua Isthmus.
On one of these occasions, his starboard engine failed over the target, but he succeeded in flying back to an airfield 160 miles away.
When leading an attack on an objective on 16th March, 1943, he dived through intense and accurate shell fire and his aircraft was hit repeatedly. Nevertheless, he held to his course and bombed his target from a low level. The attack resulted in the destruction of many buildings and dumps, including two 40,000-gallon fuel installations. Although his aircraft was crippled, with fuselage and wing sections torn, petrol tanks pierced, main-planes and engines seriously damaged, and one of the main tyres flat, Flight Lieutenant Newton managed to fly it back to base and make a successful landing.
Despite this harassing experience, he returned next day to the same locality. His target, this time a single building, was even more difficult but he again attacked with his usual courage and resolution, flying a steady course through a barrage of fire. He scored a hit on the building but at the same moment his aircraft burst into flames.
Flight Lieutenant Newton maintained control and calmly turned his aircraft away and flew along the shore. He saw it as his duty to keep the aircraft in the air as long as he could so as to take his crew as far away as possible from the enemy's positions. With great skill, he brought his blazing aircraft down on the water. Two members of the crew were able to extricate themselves and were seen swimming to the shore, but the gallant pilot is missing. According to other air crews who witnessed the occurrence, his escape-hatch was not opened and his dinghy was not inflated. Without regard to his own safety, he had done all that man could do to prevent his crew from falling into enemy hands.
Flight Lieutenant Newton's many examples of conspicuous bravery have rarely been equalled and will serve as a shining inspiration to all who follow him”.
The Victoria Cross was presented to the Mother of Flt Lt. William Ellis Newton, VC on Friday 30th November 1945 by the Duke of Gloucester in the ballroom of the Melbourne Government House.
William Ellis ‘Bill’ Newton was educated at Melbourne Grammer School where he was a School Prefect. At school he showed himself to be an outstanding all-round sportsman, and before he left had became vice-captain of the school football team, played in the Cricket XI and represented his school at swimming and represented the Melbourne Swimming Club Water Polo in 1934.
Afterwards he became a member of the Victorian 2nd Cricket Team and the Victorian 2nd eleven football team against NSW in 1939. He represented Victoria in the Amateur Football Carnival Hobart August 1938 and was the Vice Captain old Melbournians’ football team in 1939 and played for the Victorian Colts between 1937-1938.
At the outbreak of war with Germany in 1939, he gave up his job in a Melbourne silk warehouse and applied for a Commission in the RAAF on the 5th September 1939 with a view to entering the service but parental permission was not forthcoming. He enlisted in the RAAF as an Air Cadet on the 5th February 1940. He was promoted to Plt Off. on the 28th June 1940 and qualified as a Pilot on the 1st July 1940.
Japan entered the war on Germany's side in December 1941 and before long pushed the Allied forced back to New Guinea, the last barrier before Australia Itself. Reinforcements were quickly sent to this area, among them 22 (City of Sydney) Squadron RAAF which was equipped with Bostons. Flt Lt. Newton was posted to the Squadron on the 9th May 1942 and shortly thereafter the Squadron went to Wards Airbase, New Guinea. Before his tragic death in March 1943 he had flown 52 operational sorties.
Courtesy of The Argus, dated 21st October 1943
(2) On the morning of the 9th July 1948 a report was received at the Lae District Police station. It reported that Identity Discs had been found bearing the particulars "401706, LYON J. RAAF Pres. Blood Group 0.4" during the digging of post holes for a new building on a property approximately 80 yards from the shore. The remains recovered from this site by the Imperial War Graves Commission were confirmed to be of Flt Sgt. John Lyon.
Flt Sgt. John Lyon, was laid to rest in the Imperial War Graves Commission War Cemetery at Lae on the 15th August, 1948. RAAF Station Chaplain, Padre Palmer, officiated the Burial Service at the Australian War Graves Commission War Cemetery Lae. The party also consisted of Fg Off. P. Cooney who was the Burial Officer, WO. Townsend A.F. the NCO i/c of a Firing Party of eight personnel and six Airmen acting as Pall Bearers.
The District officer, representatives of Government Departments and of the local branch of the Returned Servicemen's League, together with a number of civilians, were also present. The graveside Service commenced at 15:00 hrs and concluded at 15:30 hrs. Many wreaths were placed on the grave.
Burial details:
Above: The Lae War Cemetery (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC))
Above: Grave marker for Flt Lt. William Ellis ‘Bill’ Newton, VC (Courtesy of Alanna Clifton)
Flt Lt. William Ellis ‘Bill’ Newton, VC. Lae War Cemetery S.A.4, Papua New Guinea. Grave Inscription: “FOR GOD, MY KING, MY COUNTRY”. Born on the 8th June 1919 in St. Kilda, Victoria. Son of Charles Ellis (deceased in September 1937) and Minnie (née Miller) Newton of St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia.
Above: Grave marker for Flt Sgt. John Lyon (Courtesy of Alanna Clifton)
Flt Sgt. John Lyon. Lae War Cemetery M.B.14, Papua New Guinea. Grave Inscription: “WITH VALIANT HEARTS... AT REST”. Born on the 19th April 1916 in Glasgow, Scotland. Son of Samuel James and Agnes Lyon. Husband of Mae Georgina Lyon of Footscray, Victoria, Australia.
Above: The Lae Memorial (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC))
Above: Extract from Lae Memorial Panel 7 for Sgt. Basil G. Eastwood (Courtesy of Alanna Clifton)
Sgt. Basil Gilbert Eastwood. Lae Memorial Panel 7, Papua New Guinea. Born on the 26th February 1912 in Healesville, Victoria Son of Robert Hudson and Muriel Florence Eastwood of Caulfield, Victoria, Australia.
Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the crew and their families (Nov 2024). Many thanks to Alanna Clifton for the excellent Lae Cemetery images (Nov 2024).
Other sources listed below:
RS 11.11.2024 - Initial upload
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