Servicemen survey smoke coming from the wreckage of No 93 Squadron Beaufighter A8-184 "Ye Old ...

Accession Number P08364.003
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white - Film original negative 120 safety base
Maker Wagener, Colin
Place made Malaysia: Labuan
Date made 10 December 1945
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Servicemen survey smoke coming from the wreckage of No 93 Squadron Beaufighter A8-184 "Ye Old Bumble Bee". While taxiing for takeoff A8-184, carrying Australian officers and crew aboard, swung off course and crashed. The aircraft collided with several Mustangs of 77 Squadron stationed on the western side of the runway. . The intense heat from the burning plane set off ammunition it was carrying, further intensifying the explosion. 270655 Squadron Leader Donald Gulliver (pilot), 442582 Flying Officer Donald Seekamp (navigator), 77 Group Captain Lyle Holswich (86 Wing Headquarters), 267729 Flight Lieutenant John Harris, 130425 Leading Aircraftman Donald Nash and 88414 Leading Aircraftman Eli Herrick were killed in the crash.