LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer Herbert Oswald KRAUSE
Service No: 431502
Born: Hawthorn VIC, 30 May 1925
Enlisted in the RAAF: 16 July 1943
Unit: No. 77 Squadron
Died: Air Operations: (No. 77 Squadron Kittyhawk aircraft A29-808), Molucca Passage, 27 April 1945, Aged 19 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Karl Herman Walter and Minna Sophia Krause, of Hampton, Victoria, Australia
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 8, Ambon Memorial PNG
Remembered: Panel 104, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 27April 1945, Kittyhawk A29-808 flown by Flying Officer Krause took off together with three other aircraft detailed to provide cover over a convoy, in the Molucca Passage. While over the convoy at approximately 0900 hours, Flying Officer Krause advised over the radio that his engine had cut and that he was baling out. The aircraft was seen gliding towards the convoy, but Flying officer Krause apparently experienced difficulty in baling out, as his parachute did not open. A thorough search was made by destroyers and a PT boat, but no trace of Flying Officer Krause was found.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/23/109