This Day in History: 1943-03-28

SQNLDR Keith “Bluey” Truscott DFC & Bar of 76 Squadron RAAF was killed on 28 March 1943 when his Kittyhawk A29-150, hit the sea while passing below a Catalina while on escort duty. Truscott and Flying Officer Ian Louden were escorting a Catalina flying boat which was returning from a long range mission. Through sheer boredom, the two Kittyhawk pilots had decided to practice combat attacks on the Catalina. The Catalina had started an unnoticed slow descent towards the glassy waters of Exmouth Gulf. Truscott made his final “attack” on the Catalina and rolled and passed under the Catalina. The glassy waters possibly caused him to misjudge the Catalina’s closeness to the water and at 1735 hours on 28 March 1943, his Kittyhawk slammed into the sea. He was killed in the crash. Source: Ozatwar