Operation: Night bombing of Kavieng, New England

Date: 7th/8th February 1944 (Monday/Tuesday)

Unit No: 11 Squadron RAAF

Type: Catalina

Serial: A24-34

Code: Unknown

Base: Cairns, Queensland

Location: Jacquinot Bay, New Britain

Captain: Sqn Ldr. John Evelyn ‘Jack’ Todd 271707 RAAF Age 30. PoW * /Died (1)

2nd Pilot: Flt Lt. Brian Paul Stacy 406446 RAAF Age 24. PoW No: 4917 ** (2)

Extra 2nd Pilot: Fg Off. Ian Douglas Vaughan Ralfe 405501 RAAF Age 22. Evaded

Nav B: Fg Off. Frank Ronald Pocknee 401663 RAAF Age 32. PoW * /Murdered (1)

1st Wireless Op: Plt Off. Allan Bernard Liedl 426624 RAAF Age 29. Evaded

2nd Wireless Op: Flt Sgt. Henry Laurence Murphy 412621 RAAF Age 31. PoW * /Murdered (1)

1st Eng: Flt Sgt. Fred Woolley 43098 RAAF Age 31. PoW * /Murdered (1)

2nd Eng: Flt Sgt. Ernest Hubert Kraehe 27791 RAAF Age 27. PoW * /Murdered (1)

Fitter IIA: LAC (Act Sgt). Richard Murray Howard 47149 RAAF Age 26. Evaded

Armourer: LAC (Act Sgt). Harold Francis Jones 71534 RAAF Age 19. Evaded

* Tunnel Hill PoW Camp, Rabaul, New Britain

** Zentinji PoW Camp (Hiroshima PoW Camp #1-B)

Above left to right: Sqn Ldr. John E. Todd, Flt Lt. Brian P. Stacy, Fg Off. Frank R. Pocknee (from their Service Records)

Above left to right: Flt Sgt. Henry L. Murphy, Flt Sgt. Fred Woolley, LAC (Act Sgt). Richard M. Howard, LAC (Act Sgt). Harold F. Jones (rom their Service Records)

Note: Prior to being delivered to the RAAF A24-34 was built for the United States Navy (USN) as PBY-5 #08150.

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 7th February 1944 Catalina A24-34 left from Cairns at 10:40 hrs on the first leg of a single-plane harassment raid on the Japanese base at Kavieng, New England. They landed at Milne Bay where the aircraft was refuelled and at 18:00 hrs that day they took-off and set a course north to Kavieng.

At approximately 23:00 hrs they approached the target at an altitude of 9000 ft in bright moonlight. They made their first run over the Panapai strip but did not drop any bombs and only met with light Anti-Aircraft (A/A) fire. On their second run they dropped two (2) 250 lb bombs followed by a number of incendiaries tossed out from the blisters and took photographs. This time the A/A fire was heavy but not accurate and included intense A/A fire from the ships in the harbour.

Their third run was over the Kavieng strip and they dropped two (2) 500 lb bombs and photographs taken. They were met with intense accurate A/A fire which they avoided with some violent evasive action. Large fires were observed on the SE corner of the Panapai strip. They made a forth run over the Kavieng strip and dropped the remainder of their bombs amid heavy A/A fire.

They had difficulty in trimming the aircraft and surmised that the fin had been hit and suffered some damage. A fifth run was attempted to photograph the damage but was abandoned because of intense A/A fire. They left the target area at midnight and set course to the south toward Milne Bay. The crossed the north coast of New Britain at Lolobau Island and continue across New Britain on an approximate bearing of due south.

At this time Sqn Ldr. Todd instructed Sgt. Jones move the three (3) 4½ inch reconnaissance flares from the storage in the blister area to the bunk compartment. The fuses of these flares had been previously set to a height of 5000 ft. and he was instructed to alter the fuse setting of one (1) flare to 4000 ft.

Note: Believed to be No. 35 Mark II reconnaissance flares which were capable of fuse setting in one hundreds and thousands of feet from 3000 ft to 5500 ft.

As Sgt. Jones turn the setting ring a stream of sparks were emitted and Fg Off. Liedl who was in the blister area saw the trickle of smoke after the sparks jumped into the bunkroom and grabbed the flare aiming to throw it out of the aircraft. Sgt. Howard seeing what was transpiring had opened the blister, however, just as Plt Off. Liedl grabbed the flare the magnesium exploded burning his eyes, face and hands.

The force of the explosion and the terrific heat generated by the 175,000 candle-power forced Fg Off. Liedl and Sgt. Howard out of the bunk compartment into the blister area. Flt Lt. Stacy who had been lying on the top bunk was also forced back into the blister area where the three of them along with Sgt. Jones were trapped. Everything in the bunk compartment was sent ablaze including the remaining two reconnaissance flares.

Flt Sgt. Woolley immediately informed Sqn Ldr. Todd of the fire and then he and the others forward of the fire took measures to extinguish it but the extinguishers made no impression on the blaze. Likewise in the blister Sgt. Jones found that the fire extinguishers had little effect. Suffocating black smoke from the burning rubber dinghy, which was stowed in the bunk area, was passing through the blister area and into the cockpit. Opening the flight deck windows made little difference and the situation for the four (4) crewmembers in the blister was becoming serious.

At the onset of the blaze Sgt. Howard had closed the No. 6 bulkhead door between the blister and the bunk compartment, however, the fire was so intense that it burned holes through the bulkhead and the flames blasted out like an acetylene torch.

Sqn Ldr. Todd instructed Flt Sgt. Murphy to transmit an emergency report to 5th Bomber Command (USSAF) at Lae on Papua New Guinea, on the reconnaissance frequency.

He managed to transmit two SOS messages the first at 01:36 hrs "Looking For Immediate Assistance (LFIA) in flames 010 degrees 180 miles heading west" and the second at 01:50 hrs "LFIA, 340 degrees 143 miles", which placed the aircraft near Gasmata before having to evacuate his position because of suffocating smoke seeping back into the compartment.

On being informed that the fire could not be extinguished Sqn Ldr. Todd lost height and crossed the south coast of New Britain at about 20 ft over Jacquinot Bay. His intention was to follow the south coast to the west as far as possible in the hope of reaching the Allied bridgehead at Arawe.

The fire by this time had spread to the Engineer’s compartment and Flt Sgt. Woolley advised Sqn Ldr. Todd that the aircraft was in danger of breaking in half in mid-air. From the cockpit he could see the flames coming from the fuselage and the Engineer’s window and immediately decided to crash-land the aircraft in Jacquinot Bay about 50 yards from the shore.

The landing was difficult because of the damage to the hull from the fire and upon alighting on the water the aircraft swung to the right and bounced 50 ft into the air. On striking the water again it swung violently to the right again and it took both pilots to keep the aircraft from diving under. The engines were cut and the aircraft dropped off the hull step and drifted into a reef about 30 yards from the shore.

The fire at this time was raging intensely in the Engineer’s compartment and the .38 cal ammunition and sea markers were exploding. Sqn Ldr. Todd ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft as the petrol tanks were in danger of exploding. The water was shallow and the crew waded to shore with nothing more serious than a few burns and scratches. As they reached shore the .50 cal ammunition began to explode and the pounding of the waves broke the aircraft in two. They were forced to take cover because of the exploding ammunition and could nothing but watch as the aircraft burned.

By this time it was 02:15 hrs and Sqn Ldr. Todd along with Fg Off. Ralfe made a recce of the area to spend the rest of the early hours. They found find a suitable place about 50 yards inland and about ¼ mile from where they came ashore.

An attempt was made to board the aircraft to destroy codes, special and classified equipment. They found that the aircraft had broken in two at the mainplane with the bow and stern in the air. Sgt. Jones and Sgt. Wooley tried to board the aircraft but were unable to do so as flames continued to burst out of the Engineer’s compartment as the waves partially subdued the flames in the breaking waves. Sgt. Jones managed to reach into the Engineer’s compartment and gathered some small water containers and a thermos containing cold tea whilst Sgt. Wooley recovered a pair of binoculars.

They managed to recover from the aircraft, the rubber dinghy complete with its medical kit and distress signal, a parachute, four (4) revolvers, five (5) knives and four (4) RAAF type emergency jungle kits.

The point where they made it to shore was on the west side of Jacquinot Bay somewhere in the vicinity of Malakua. During the remainder of the early hours until the dawn guards were posted at regular intervals. At the first sign of dawn Fg Off. Ralfe and Sgt. Jones scouted to the west of their position to determine if any Japanese were in the area. About ½ ml to the west they reached a point where they could scan all of the Bay with binoculars.

Shortly, after they returned to the group the guards saw three (3) natives approaching their position from the east. Two (2) of them, upon seeing the guards, turned and ran off in the direction from where they came. The remaining native spoke with Sqn Ldr. Todd and told him that the Japanese had seen the aircraft crash in flames and had sent him to find to them crew.

The native who spoke quit good English advised them to get away from the beach to an abandoned planation and hide there. He could not understand why the hell they had not left the area the previous night. He told them he might have been able to hide four (4) of them but not all ten (10). He appeared to be very frightened of the Japanese and was anxious to leave and told them that the Japanese had enslaved the natives in the area to build a big road a few miles away.

After the native left, Sgt. Woolley and Flt Sgt. Murphy were posted a guards and Sqn Ldr Todd immediately organised them into three (3) groups with:

Himself, Fg Off Pocknee and Sgt Kraehe in one group;
Flt Lt. Ralfe, Fg Off Liedl, Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Jones in another;
Flt Lt. Stacy, Sgt. Woolley and Flt Sgt. Murphy in the third.

While allocating their cache of equipment amongst the groups they suddenly heard commands in Japanese from the direction of the beach. It appeared that Sgt. Woolley and Flt Sgt. Murphy had been captured. (see Ser (1) below).

The remaining crew members gathered up the equipment and ran off into the bush in a roughly north-westerly direction, however, Flt Lt. Stacy ran off to the north-east. He was entirely without any equipment and was never heard of again, even the natives they encountered later knew nothing of his fate. (see Ser (2) below).

The remaining seven (7) came together some 100 yards into the bush where Sqn Ldr. Todd decided to split into the agreed two (2) groups and head off in different directions.

Sqn Ldr. Todd’s group headed off in a westerly direction whilst Flt Lt. Ralfe’s in a north-westerly direction.

The equipment for Flt Lt. Ralfe’s group comprised two (2) .38 cal revolvers with sixty (6) rounds of ammunition, three (3) knives, one (1) parachute, and the first-aid kit from the dinghy and two of the RAAF type emergency jungle kits, one minus the compass and cloth map.

After Sqn Ldr. Todd, Fg Off. Pocknee, Flt Sgt. Murphy, Flt Sgt. Woolley and Flt Sgt. Kraehe headed off from the others nothing more was heard about them or their fate. (see Ser (1) below).

Fg Off. Ralfe plotted a course to the north using the map and followed the course for approximately 15 minutes when the heard two what appeared to be small calibre shots from the direction of the beach. They greatly increased their pace and after a suitable distance slowed to look at the map but in his haste Fg Off. Ralfe had stuffed it in his flying suit pocket and it had fallen out.

They planned to head into the interior because they were told that the Japanese had occupied the coastal regions. They thought they would go far into the mountains as possible and try and live off the land.

For the next 2½ days they traversed swamps with little to live off the land then into the low mountainous region with numerous palm and water vines. Thereafter they reached extremely rocky countryside full of dry gullies which lacked both food and water. It became apparent that they could not exist in such a region so they decided to turn back and make for the coast and then in a south-westerly direction towards Arawe.

Shortly after they turned back, they came upon a native trail that led in a south-easterly direction and although they intended to move in a south-westerly direction it was decided to follow this trail. After about three (3) hours they ended up back at the clearing where they had seen the Japanese rice tin. This distance had previously taken 1½ days of moving through the bush.

It was decided to make their main camp on one side of the bay and built a fire in the clearing on the opposite side. Sgt. Jones shot a pig and Fg Off. Leidl shot a scrub fowl. They ate the pig as this was the first real food since the crash and kept the fowl for later. Several attempts at shooting fish proved to be ineffectual as the gunshots only caused the fish to scatter but the noise also attracted a crocodile. Other efforts were made to catch fish with home-made fish hooks constructed from safety pins and a three-pronged spear fashioned out of wood but both methods failed.

On the 3rd day whilst sitting around the fire a small canoe with two (2) natives and two (2) Japanese paddled directly into the bay. The Japanese jumped out as did one (1) of the natives whilst the other native paddled the canoe swiftly down-stream. Within a few minutes a large canoe with eight (8) Japanese and two (2) natives came around the bend into the bay followed by the other native in the smaller canoe.

They had obviously seen the fire so the airmen dived into the swamp at the back of the clearing leaving behind a parachute, the medical kit, one knife and much of their clothing which was back at the main camp. They made their way through the swamps and then to throw the Japanese off their trail they forded the river.

They then headed in a south-westerly direction toward the coast and travelled through unbelievably rough country, mountains, swamps, swollen rivers and creeks. They had no food other than the palms found in their travels and one malted milk tablet every other day for each of them. They were able to save their atabrine (trade name for Mepacrine an anti-malarial drug) and took one tablet every other day.

After four (4) days they reached the Japanese road near Lau. The village of Lau was deserted so spent the night there. They had avoided all the native trails during their trek and had seen no natives. They were able to find plenty of coconuts and water at Lau. The next day they made their way along the Japanese road to the southwest until they reached the Torlu River.

During that day they had seen two (2) Beaufighters whose attention we tried to attract without success. They crossed the Toriu River to the opposite bank and made their way down river and spending the next night in its delta. At daybreak they continued along the coast and reached the deserted village of Kangilona at night fall. There we found two (2) recently opened Japanese rice tins and a fire still burning. Nevertheless, they decided to spend the night in the village.

The next morning they found a large native canoe on the beach but it was in dilapidated state. The outrigger had rotted through and the canoe itself having been holed through many times by borers. They decided to try and repair this canoe with the intention of using it to sneak down the coast by night, hide on the beach during the day and make their way down past Gasmata. The necessity of having the canoe for the journey had become apparent whilst crossing the crocodile-infested streams and large rivers. They had only been able to cross the Toriu river because they had fortuitously found a native canoe with four (4) paddles on the bank.

Sgt. Jones and LAC. Howard worked all day long plugging the holes up in the canoe but when they tested it they found it much too heavy for them to paddle. They abandoned the idea and stayed for one (1) more night in the village before continuing on foot even though Fg Off. Liedl's and Sgt. Jones’ boots had almost worn through. Fg Off. Ralfe and Fg Off. Liedl were only wearing shorts, short-sleeved shirt and short socks. The Mosquitoes and sand flies were biting continuously and together with the scratches from the swamp underbrush became infected and big sores began to appear on their bodies.

During that afternoon four (4) natives arrived at the deserted village. They didn't say much but offered food which was gratefully accepted and in return they gave the natives safety pins. It transpired that they were from Kangilona but had evacuated to a new village back in the mountains. Their gardens were still in the neighbourhood of Kangilona and had come down harvest the food. After the natives had left two (2) other natives from the same village arrived at about 20:00 hrs. They brought a message that the Japanese were returning to Kangilona the next day and were at Atu only about four (4) miles from Kangilona.

They had been sent by their Luluai (village chief) to escort them to their village. After spending the night in the village they left and travelled north-east into the mountains to the new native village. They reached the village after about four (4) hours of walking on native trails and going some distance in a canoe. Shortly after arriving the natives told them about the Coastwatchers on the north side of the island, near Viraulalu to the SW end of the Nakanai Mountain range, who received their food by drops from aircraft.

They asked if the natives could take them to the Coastwatchers. They agreed but warned them that it would be a seven (7) day journey and suggested that that they stay with them for three (3) more days building up their strength to make the journey. They inquired of the natives about the fate of the other members of their crew they knew nothing about them.

During their wait the sores on their bodies became worse an extremely ugly tropical ulcers appeared on Fg Off. Liedl's right leg and the entire leg became inflamed as high as the thigh. Nevertheless they set off for the north coast after the three (3) days.

They started off with eighteen (18) native carriers and travelled for a full day but their progress was slowed considerably due to the condition of Fg Off. Liedl's leg. The natives suggested that they write a note which would be delivered to the Coastwatchers and that they should rest for a full day after they stopped for the night. The native messenger made the trip to the Coastwatchers in approximately two (2) days.

After they had rested they continued in easy stages but through extremely difficult country. The natives despatched by the Coastwatchers reached them about four (4) days bringing with them European food, clothing, medical supplies and all the equipment that they needed, as well as a cook boy and a doctor boy. By this time their group had grown to a party of eighty-five (85) because the natives appeared to know of the presence of the Coastwatchers and were anxious to join them in their efforts to reach them.

After six (6) days a member of the Coastwatchers came out to met them but he had contracted a fever and was forced to remain along with Fg Off. Liedl's because of his poor condition. The others left on about the 4th or 5th of March. Fg Off. Liedl and the Coastwatcher reached them approximately a week later. They remained with the Coastwatchers until the 8th April 1944, just two (2) months after their disaster, when they were evacuated from New Britain and returned to Australia.

They were granted three (3) months sick leave to recover from Malaria and debilities which they had contracted whilst evading the Japanese for sixty-three (63) days.

Ian Douglas Vaughan Ralfe was born on the 3rd June 1921 in Longreach, Queensland. He enlisted in the RAAF on the 31st March 1941 in Brisbane, Queensland. He was discharged on demobilisation from the RAAF on the 12th February 1946 as a Flt Lt. Ian passed away on the 25th December 1988 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Allan Bernard Liedl was born on the 13th November 1914 in Lismore, New South Wales. He enlisted in the RAAF on the 18th July 1942 in Brisbane, Queensland. He was discharged on demobilisation from the RAAF on the 19th November 1945 as a Flt Lt. Allan passed away circa 1990 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Richard Murray Howard was born on the 11th November 1917 in Mount Gambier, South Australia. He enlisted in the RAAF on the 14th October 1941 in Adelaide, South Australia. He was discharged on demobilisation from the RAAF on the 25th January 1945 as an LAC. Richard passed away on the 28th January 2003 in Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia.

Harold Francis Jones was born on the 15th August 1924 in Scone, New South Wales. He enlisted in the RAAF on the 20th October 1942 in Sydney, New South Wales. He was discharged on demobilisation from the RAAF on the 31st January 1946 as an LAC. Harold passed away on the 19th April 2007 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

(1) After the Japanese were defeated on New Britain it was found that there were only eight (8) surviving Allied PoWs at the Tunnel Hill PoW camp whereas it was expected to find a great many more. An investigation was instigated by the 18th Australian War Graves Unit to determine the fate of the PoWs that were thought to have been held on New Britain.

The investigation found that Sqn Ldr. Todd, Fg Off. Pocknee, Flt Sgt. Murphy, Flt Sgt. Woolley and Flt Sgt. Kraehe had been captured, transported to Rabaul and imprisoned at the Tunnel Hill PoW Camp.

It was established that Sqn Ldr. Todd had died on the 22nd July 1944 of dyspepsia and lack of medical treatment. It was claimed by the Japanese that Fg Off. Pocknee, Flt Sgt. Murphy, Flt Sgt. Woolley and Flt Sgt. Kraehe were amongst thirty-one (31) PoWs who were killed in an Allied air-raid on the 4th/5th March 1944. However, after interrogating Japanese officers and soldiers stationed at Rabaul during the war the investigation came to the conclusion that this claim was not credible and that the PoWs had been executed.

An overview of the investigation into the circumstances of the deaths and those deemed to be responsible for the executions and atrocities is summarised in the report entitled “Talili Bay Massacre, New Britain”.(Insert Link when complete)

(2) Flt Lt. Stacy was only wearing his shorts and shirt and realising that he would not get very far he only went far enough to hide undiscovered so he return and salvage anything to help his evade the Japanese.

There was a shot fired which was heard by the four (4) who were rescued a falsely assumed that Flt Lt. Stacy had been shot. However, after the Japanese left and he returned to the camp site he found the fresh water tank that they had salvaged was empty probably as a result of the shot.

All that was left was a marine distress signal flare which he took in the vain hope that he might be able to signal any rescuing Catalina. The next day he looked for the mouth of ta river and then headed upstream hoping to find a friendly native village. However, all he saw was the distinctive Japanese Marine split-toe shoes. When he came across a native attending a fire outside a group of huts he took a chance and approached him.

As fate would have it this was the village from where the Japanese were organising the search from him and his crew. This was unbeknown to him and gladly fell asleep on the bamboo bed offered by the native.

He was awoken by a Japanese soldier pointing his rifle and bayonet at him. About an hour or so later another Japanese patrol brought in Sqn Ldr. Todd, Flt Sgt. Murphy, Flt Sgt. Woolley and Flt Sgt. Kraehe. After a two (2) day forced-march and a journey by barge the five (5) of them and Fg Off. Pocknee, who had also been captured, arrived at the 6th Field Kemepitai HQ at Rabaul.

Shortly after arriving the Japanese told Flt Lt. Stacy that they wanted a captain from the aircraft who was to leave immediately for Japan. It later transpired that the Japanese had captured Maj. Gregory ‘Pappy’ Boyington, a high profile USMC pilot and needed one other to make up the numbers for propaganda purposes. Flt Lt. Stacy knew that this should have been Sqn Ldr. Todd but he was still being interrogated at the time. (Ref 2 pp 170-174)

On the 17th February 1944 Flt Lt. Stacy was one of six (6) Allied prisoners transported aboard a G4M1 Betty bomber from Rabaul to Truk, and then onward to Japan.

The other five (5) PoWs were:

Lt. John Marshall ‘Buck’ Arbuckle 85153 USN who was the Captain of VPB-52 “Black Cats” PBY-5A Catalina #8428. Shot down by Anti-Aircraft fire from an unseen escort ship on the 20th November 1943 (2 Murdered, 3 MiA, 3 PoW/Killed, 2 PoW/MiA, 1 PoW);

Fg Off. Alan Mervyn Brown 413955 RAAF who was one of the Wireless Operator/Air Gunners aboard 8 Squadron, RAAF Beaufort A9-244 which was shot down by Anti-Aircraft fire on the 21st October 1943 (3 Murdered, 1 PoW);

Maj. Gregory ‘Pappy’ Boyington, Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, O-005254 USMC who was the Commanding Officer of VMF-214. His F4U-1A Corsair #17883 was shot down by a Japanese fighter on the 3rd January 1944;

Maj. Donald W. Boyle O-007065 USMC who ditched his VMF-212 F4U-1A Corsair #49891 on the 23rd January 1944 after an engagement with Japanese fighters over New Ireland;

Capt. Charles Kerse Taylor O-432268 USAAF, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Air Force. His P-38H #42-66909 was believed to have been shot down by Japanese Zeros and crashed on the 23rd October 1943.

After being held up at Truk for two (2) weeks because of air-raids and awaiting a replacement aircraft they arrived in Japan. Their first camp was the Ōfuna PoW Camp and two camps later Flt Lt. Stacy was eventually transferred to the Zentinji PoW Camp (Hiroshima PoW Camp #1-B).

The Ōfuna Camp was a Japanese Navy installation located in Kamakura outside of Yokohama in Japan. It was the camp where high-value enlisted men and officers, particularly Pilots and Submariner PoWs, were held.

Zentsūji PoW Camp was located on Shikoko Island. In April 1945 the control of the camp was turned over the Hiroshima PoW Camp. The camp complex comprised a number of sub-camps and held Australian, British and American Servicemen and Dutch civilians.

After Japan surrendered Flt Lt. Stacy was liberated on the 12th September 1945 and arrived in Sydney on the 27th September 1945.

Brian Paul Stacy was born on the 24th February 1910 in Perth, Western Australia. He enlisted in the RAAF on the 9th December 1940. He was discharged on demobilisation from the RAAF on the 14th January 1946 as a Flt Lt. Brian passed away on the 6th November 1999 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Burial details:

Above: Rabaul (Bita Pita) War Cemetery (Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC)

Above: Grave marker for Sqn Ldr. John Evelyn ‘Jack’ Todd (Courtesy of the TWGPP)

Sqn Ldr. John Evelyn ‘Jack’ Todd. Ashes repatriated and laid to rest at the Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery, D.B.1. Grave Inscription: “HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE”. Born on the 3rd February 1914. Son of Alfred John and Minnie Gertrude (née Bell) Todd. Husband of Isabella Mary Todd of Dalby, Queensland, Australia.

Above: Grave marker for Fg Off. Frank Ronald Pocknee (Courtesy of the TWGPP)

Fg Off. Frank Ronald Pocknee. Ashes repatriated and laid to rest at the Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery Collective, Grave E.C.5-11. Grave Inscription: “AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING WE REMEMBER HIM”. Born on the 29th February 1912 in Tatura, Victoria. Son of Charles Henry and Sarah Pocknee. Husband of Amy Frances Pocknee of Burramine South, Victoria, Australia.

Above: Grave marker for Flt Sgt. Henry Laurence Murphy (Courtesy of the TWGPP)

Flt Sgt. Henry Laurence Murphy. Ashes repatriated and laid to rest at the Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery Collective, Grave E.C.5-11. Grave Inscription: “DEARLY LOVED AND SADLY MISSED BY LOVING FATHER”. Born on the 13th August 1917 in Tumut, New South Wales. Son of William James and Elizabeth Ellen Murphy of Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia.

Above: Grave marker for Flt Sgt. Fred Woolley (Courtesy of the TWGPP)

Flt Sgt. Fred Woolley. Ashes repatriated and laid to rest at the Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery Collective, Grave E.C.5-11. Grave Inscription: “LOVED SON OF MR. & MRS. D. WOOLLEY OF CHERMSIDE, BRISBANE... R.I.P.”. Born on the 20th December 1912 in Darlaston, England. Son of David and Annie Woolley of Chermside, Queensland, Australia.

Above: Grave marker for Flt Sgt. Ernest Hubert Kraehe (Courtesy of the TWGPP)

Flt Sgt. Ernest Hubert Kraehe. Ashes repatriated and laid to rest at the Rabaul (Bita Paka) War Cemetery Collective, Grave E.C.5-11. Grave Inscription: “GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE”. Born on the 4th April 1917 in Cowell, South Australia. Son of Johann Friedrich Ernst and Ernstine Bertha Kraehe. Husband of Dorothy Enid Kraehe of Unley, South Australia.

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the crew and their families (Dec 2025).

Thanks to The War Graves Photograph Project (TWGPP) for their great work.

Other sources listed below:

Reference(s):

1. Escape & Evasion: NAA: A1196, 37/501/402.

2. Cats at War: Story of RAAF Catalinas in Asia-Pacific Theatre of War: ISBN 1-86408-586-X.

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