On April 14, 1943, three World War II Beauforts from the Royal Australian Air Force were performing a low pass for the media. However during a breakup formation it all went wrong, when the aircraft at the center climbed, its tail hit the left wing tip of the aircraft on the right. Resulting in the crash of both Beaufighters into the water, leaving no survivors. This incident was filmed by cameraman Eric Bieve who was working for Fox Movietone News.
The Beauforts belonging to No. 8 Operational Training Unit RAAF, were carrying out a series of dummy runs and torpedo attacks on the HMAS Burra-Bra in front of several accredited War Correspondents at Jervis Bay near Nowra, New South Wales. At the end of the demonstration the 3 Beauforts taking part in the exercise began a high speed low level run past HMAS Burra-bra and commenced a “Prince of Wales” breakup formation.
Beaufort A9-27, flying in the center, began a gentle climb while Beaufort A9-268, flying to his right, came along side. The tip of the left wing of Beaufort A9-268 struck the tail plane of A9-27, which was then torn off of the aircraft as a result. Immediate afterwards Beaufort A9-268 commenced a left turn, ending with the aircraft rolling on to its back and plunging nose first into the sea. Beaufort A9-27’s climb steepened, however it became uncontrollable immediately after the crash, and it too plunged into the sea nose first. No-one survived the crash.
CREW OF A9-268
Flt Lt David George Dey ( 280627) (Pilot) F/O Rex Lindsay Solomon (408149) F/O Jack Norman (407561)
Sgt Hugh Sydney George Richardson (410093)
CREW OF A9-27
F/O Raymond Sydney Green (408110) (Pilot) Sgt Albert John Bailey (409976) F/O Maurice Francis Hoban (409118)
P/O Eric William Sweetnam (408077)
You can watch more incredible footage from World War 2.
