Hudson (FK791) crashed near Mira

Date

Location

Force

Aircraft

 

From-To

 

Crew

06-03-1944

Mira

RAF       269 Sqn

Lockheed Hudson IIIA      FK791

 

Portreath (GB) → Lagens Airfield (Azores)

 

W/O   George Gordon Mclean      Australia 

F/Sgt   Potwalka                          Canada

S/L      David Duncan McPetrie    GB

W/O   Philip Arthur Gallop          Canada




The aircraft was on the way of the Azores, the new station for 269Sqn. Because of an electrical storm one of the engines started to have problems and around six in the morning the other also developed trouble.

The crew had to abandon the aircraft. Maclean and Gallop jumped with the parachute but the wind took them into the sea and they drowned.

Potwalka also fell into the water but a fishing boat nearby was able to save him. S/L Duncan was not seen leaving the plane.

The dead are buried in the St. James Cemetery in Oporto.

Resources:
* “Aviões da Cruz de Cristo” – Mário Cannongia Lopes
* Portreath ORB - National Archives - London Kew
* National Archives Australia