Catalina Recovery Mission BY WING COMMANDER (DR) MARYANNE WHITING
On September 2nd, 1943, No 11 Squadron Catalina, A-2450, failed to return from a mine laying sortie to Sorong, in then Dutch New Guinea, and was reported missing with a crew of 10. Searches carried out along the route the aircraft was to have taken proved negative, and there was speculation the aircraft might have come down in the sea.
RIGHT: Cairns Catalina Memorial maintained by the Cairns Regional Council and the Cairns RAAF Association.
ABOVE: The commemorative plaque unveiled on the 18 Jul 21 by the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld and Mr David Oliver representing the families of the aircrew of Catalina A24-50. Photo by WOFF Ian Gosper. Director-General History and Heritage - Air Force, Air Commodore John Meier and Chief of Staff Air Force Operations Command in Biak, Marsma Erwin Buana Kaskoopsau III (centre front) hold a piece tail wreckage from Catalina Flying Boat A24-50 which was salvaged during Operation Catalina Recovery. Photo by CPL David Said.
