Australian Bomber and Air Crew Identified 80 Years After Crash Off Papua New Guinea

In a groundbreaking discovery, the remains of an Australian bomber and two air crew members have been identified more than 80 years after they crashed in flames off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The Royal Australian Air Force has confirmed this significant development, bringing closure to a long-standing mystery.

The Beaufort bomber A9-186, which had been missing since 1943, was located during an ongoing search led by Australian mining billionaire Andrew Forrest. This search was particularly special to Forrest, as it aimed to find his uncle, Flying Officer David Forrest, who had been missing in action since 1943. The aircraft was discovered off the New Britain coast in 2020, located 43 meters (141 feet) underwater. The identification process, involving 50 dives, was led by search expedition leader Steve Burnell. Despite facing challenges such as saltwater crocodiles and low visibility, the team persevered and successfully identified the wreckage.

Identification was made possible through an aircraft identity plate that had been buried in mud, reducing corrosion and preserving its legibility. Furthermore, DNA testing of bone fragments allowed for the identification of the remains of Warrant Officer Clement Batstone Wiggins and Warrant Officer Russell Henry Grigg. While the search for the remaining air crew members, Flight Sgt. Albert Beckett and Flight Sgt. Gordon Lewis Hamilton, has been discontinued, a memorial service for their families is scheduled to be held at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland state on April 26.

Future Plans and Hopeful Search

Although the search for the rest of the air crew has been halted, plans for funerals to honor the air crew in Papua New Guinea are underway for September. Andrew Forrest expressed gratitude for the closure that the families of the crew of A9-186 now have and reaffirmed their continuous commitment to finding his late Uncle David and his fellow crew. He shared that his late father, Donald Forrest, had hoped to hold his older brother's dog tags before his passing last year at the age of 95.

The discovery of A9-186 brings hope and renewed dedication to the search for the remaining missing aircraft. With only two RAAF Beaufort bombers remaining unaccounted for in the New Britain region, the search team is currently examining wreckage that could potentially belong to one of them. The determination to bring closure to these longstanding mysteries remains unwavering.