LEST WE FORGET
Pilot Officer Francis Debenham MILNE
Service No: 33516
Born: Sydney NSW, 9 February 1917
Enlisted in the RAAF: 30 August 1940
Unit: No. 6 Troop Carrier Squadron, No 1 Administrative Wing (USAAF)
Died: Air Operations: (No. 6 Troop Carrier Squadron Dakota aircraft 41-38601), near Dobadura, New Guinea, 26 November 1942, Aged 25 Years
Buried: Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, US
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Francis Rupert and Mignonette Milne; husband of Nance May Milne, of Southport, Queensland
Roll of Honour: Brisbane QLD
Remembered: Panel 134, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 26 November 1942, Dakota 41-38601 departed from Port Moresby for Dobadura at approximately 0630 hours. After landing at Dobadura and unloading freight the aircraft took off for Port Moresby at approximately 1000 hours. Shortly after take-off the aircraft was attacked by two Zeros and shot down. The aircraft burst into flames before hitting the ground four miles south of Poppindetta. All four crew members were killed.
The crew members of 41-38601 were:
Sergeant Arthur Believe (16028217) (USAAF) (Radio Operator)
Pilot Officer Francis Debenham Milne (33516) (Co-Pilot)
Lieutenant Earl B Lattier (O-790013) (USAAF) (Pilot)
Technical Sergeant Joseph E Paul (13006214) (USAAF) (Engineer)
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, 163/45/208