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Crew of 43 Squadron Catalina A24-64Print Page 
The plaque commemorates the nine crew members of No 43 Squadron Catalina A24-64 of the Royal Australian Air Force who lost their lives on Mindoro Island in the Phillipines on the 14th December 1944.
The Royal Australian Air Force will conduct a commemorative ceremony and unveil a plaque for the nine crewmembers of Catalina A24-64 at the Catalina Memorial in Cairns, Queensland.
No 43 Squadron Catalina A24-64 was lost on 14 December 1944 on Mindoro Island in the Philippines while on a mission during the Second World War. The Directorate of Historical Unrecovered War Casualties – Air Force conducted a reconnaissance mission to the Catalina A24-64 crash site from 3–13 March 2019.
During the commemorative ceremony, wreaths will be laid by the Chief of Air Force, family representatives of the crewmembers, and other dignitaries.
A P-8 Poseidon aircraft, operated by No 11 Squadron, will fly over the Catalina Memorial during the ceremony.
During the following reception, next of kin of the crewmembers will be presented with their lost family member’s Certificates of Service and medal entitlements.
The commemorative ceremony will commence at 9.00am at the Catalina Memorial. The reception will be held immediately following the commemorative ceremony at the Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns, 209-217 Abbott St, opposite the Catalina Memorial.
RAAF News & Events.
Location
| Address: | Abbott Street, Catalina Memorial, Cairns, 4870 |
|---|---|
| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -16.913447 Long: 145.770323 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 14-December-1944 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 14-December-1944 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Sunday 11th June, 2023 |
|---|
Royal Australian Air Force
Catalina A24 - 64
Tragically lost on 14 December 1944
In memory of the crew of No 43 Squadron Catalina A24 - 64
They gave their lives on 14 December 1944 when their aircraft crashed into terrain on north-west Mindoro Island, 95 south-west of Manila, the Philippines while on a mission to mine Manila Harbour, along with Catalinas from Numbers 11, 20 and 42 Squadrons.
[ Names ]
Their sacrifice, our freedom
Lest We Forget
