MCDONALD, Frank Graeme
| Service Numbers: | V54990, 418154 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 September 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 23 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | East Malvern, Victoria, Australia, 29 September 1922 |
| Home Town: | Hawthorn, Boroondara, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Prisoner of War - Executed, Madang, New Guinea, 31 March 1944, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Lae Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 25 Sep 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, V54990 | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Aircraftman, 418154, Aircrew Training Units | |
| 25 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 418154 | |
| 24 Feb 1944: | Involvement Flight Sergeant, 418154, No. 23 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-45, Raid on Hansa Bay, Cape Gloucester New Guniea |
Help us honour Frank Graeme McDonald's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Flight Sergeant Frank McDonald 418154 (Pilot) and Flying Officer Charles McAllister 23352 (Navigator / WAG) in 23SQN RAAF Vultee Vengeance A27-276 were lost on operations between Hansa Bay and Alexishafen, New Guinea after the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire while attacking enemy positions on the 24th of February 1944 (A27-275 was also lost on this mission with Flying Officer Burnell 409289 and Captain Watson NX112723 KIA)
Further investigation post war confirmed that Flight Sergeant McDonald 418154 was captured by Japanese troops after he survived the crash and was executed at the Kempei Tai Headquarters compound at Amron north of Madang, New Guinea on the 31st of March 1944 - as his body was not located he is commemorated on the Lae Memorial
Flight Sergeant Stewart 418197 who survived the ditching of Vengeance A27-82 on the 5th of March 1944 was executed at the same time (Flight Sergeant Richards 418466 from A27-82 was KIA)
Biography
Frank McDonald was the Pilot in one of two crews lost by No.23 Squadron during a raid on Hansa Bay New Guinea, operating Vultee Vengeance dive bombers..
Their aircraft was hit by anti aircraft fire and left the target area trailing smoke. Another aircraft flew alongside (see 'personal Story', until the stricken aircraft, losing power and altitude, descended into cloud whereupon the pilot (McDonald) and Observer (McAllister) were seen to bail out by a pair of P40 Kittyhawks which followed them down.
Both were subsequently captured and killed by Japanese troops.
Click images to start slideshow.