This Day in History: 1943-04-20

Lockheed Hudsons A16-183 and A16-197 of No. 2 Squadron RAAF collided in mid-air over Crocodile Islands north east of Millingimbi, NT on 20 April 1943. After taking off for a reconnaissance mission (HUG.46) to Timoeka at 1920 zulu (0610Hrs) the two aircraft collided some four minutes later. All five occupants of A16-183 were killed; F/O K R Mills Serv#405637, F/O R E John Serv#409551, Sgt H H Hadley Serv#411904, Sgt J L Barnes Serv#404946 and Sgt T W Bassen Serv#411985. All five occupants of A16-197 were killed: F/O K E Daniel Serv#402852, F/O J Laws Serv#412979, Sgt W J Gove Serv#401636, Sgt Thomas William Wilson Serv#408899 and Sgt J G Butler Serv#408820. Sources: ADF-Serials; aviation-safety.net website