Remains of Australian World War II bomber and crew discovered in South Pacific despite presence of saltwater crocodiles and poor visibility

After more than 80 years, the identities of an Australian bomber and two air crew members have finally been confirmed following a harrowing discovery off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The Beaufort bomber A9-186, along with the remains of Flying Officer David Forrest’s crew, were found in murky, crocodile-infested waters by Australian mining billionaire Andrew Forrest.

Forrest had been searching for his uncle, Flying Officer David Forrest, who went missing in action in 1943 during a night raid against a Japanese air strip near the village of Gasmata. The bomber, along with its crew, disappeared during the mission, leaving their fate unknown for decades.

The wreckage of A9-186 was located in 2020, but it took 50 dives to confirm its identity. The challenging environment, filled with saltwater crocodiles and low visibility, made the process difficult. However, an aircraft identity plate buried in mud helped in the identification process.

DNA testing revealed the remains of two crew members, Warrant Officer Clement Batstone Wiggins and Warrant Officer Russell Henry Grigg. The search for the rest of the crew continues, with a memorial service planned for their families in April.

Andrew Forrest expressed gratitude for the closure the discovery brought to the families of the crew members. He remains hopeful in his search for his uncle and the remaining crew. The Australian Air Force is committed to finding, recovering, and identifying missing service personnel to honor their sacrifice for the nation.