Identity of a missing WWII plane has been confirmed by the Royal Australian Air Force

A joint expedition between Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest and Ocean Ecology for the remains of his WWII flying officer uncle has resulted in a surprising discovery off the coast of Papua New Guinea.

A joint expedition between mining billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest and Ocean Ecology has resulted in the discovery of Australian air force servicemen lost during a mission over Papua New Guinea in World War II.

The RAAF confirmed the identities of the four servicemen after Dr Forrest, alongside Ocean Ecology, had undertaken the search in an effort to locate the remains of his uncle, who was lost during the war.

The RAAF on Friday confirmed the plane discovered was No. 100 Squadron Beaufort Bomber A9-374 – first reported missing in 1943 when it failed to return from a wartime mission.

Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest and Ocean Ecology have been searching waters around Gasmata in Papua New Guinea hoping to find Dr Forrest’s uncle, David Forrest, who was lost in the area in WWII. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

This marks the second discovery made by Dr Forrest and Ocean Ecology in their ongoing search for Dr Forrest’s uncle, flying officer David Forrest, who was lost near Gasmata while piloting a similar Beaufort Bomber.

RAAF chief of air force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell confirmed the identification of the crashed aircraft during a follow-up diving expedition earlier this year.

Air Marshal Chapppell said the wreckage of A9-374 was dispersed over a large area in approximately 16m of water.

“The mission involved the use of specialist divers and maritime archaeologists who worked on a complex site, featuring heavily damaged wreckage that was covered in layers of sediment and marine growth,” he said.

The wreckage of RAAF Beaufort bomber A9-186 discovered by mining magnate Andrew Forrest's search mission in PNG. Picture: A Current Affair

“I offer my heartfelt thanks to all involved in this significant mission; it is especially comforting for the families of the four aviators lost with their aircraft to know at last what happened to their loved ones, and to learn their final resting place.”

The crew of the Beaufort A9-374 were four men aged in their 20s and 30s from South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

However, none of them were confirmed to be Dr Forrest’s uncle.

Flight Lieutenant Roy Herbert Woollacott from 100SQN was born in Burra, South Australia. He worked as a building contractor before enlisting in Adelaide in June 1940.

Beaufort crew Sergeant James Sugg, Flying Officer Roy Herbert Woollacott, Sgt Reginald William Stolzand Harley Joseph Williams. Woollacott, Sugg and Williams were all lost on operations when their Beaufort bomber was shot down on a raid over Gasmata on September 5, 1943.

Flight Lieutenant Woollacott was 33 when he was killed in action.

Flight Sergeant William Theodore Pedler from No 2 Air Ambulance Unit was on loan to 100SQN.

He was born in Blyth, South Australia, and worked as a farmer and grazier before he enlisted in Adelaide in July 1941.

Flight Sergeant Pedler was 21 when he was killed in action.

Flight Sergeant James Albert Sugg from 100SQN was born in Wagin, Western Australia, he worked as a schoolteacher before he enlisted in Adelaide in March 1941.

Flight Sergeant Sugg was 24 years old when he was killed in action.

Flight Sergeant Harley Joseph Williams from 100SQN was born in Launceston, Tasmania, he worked as a spare parts salesman before he enlisted in Hobart in October 1941.

Flight Sergeant Williams was 20 years old when he was killed in action.

Through the inspection of objects recovered from the sea floor, the team were able to identify the aircraft as No. 100 Squadron Beaufort A9-186, which was lost on 5 September 1943 with all four crew.

A commemorative service for the families of all four crew is planned for October at RAAF Base Point Cook, Victoria.

Air Marshal Chappell said no further recovery was planned for the “challenging” crash site.

“We continue to strive to account for all our missing service personnel as part of our commitment to honouring their service and sacrifice for our nation” he said.

The location and identification of A9-374 is the second in the Gasmata area, following the location and identification of Beaufort A9-186 in 2022.

The remains of two aviators recovered during that investigation were farewelled by their families during a memorial service held at RAAF Amberley in April 2024, ahead of their repatriation for burial at the Bita Paka War Cemetery near Rabaul in November this year.

Originally published as Identity of a missing WWII plane has been confirmed by the Royal Australian Air Force