LEST WE FORGET
Flight Sergeant Alan John SALTER
Service No: 414841
Born: Toowong QLD, 15 April 1921
Enlisted in the RAAF: 9 November 1941
Unit: No. 4 Squadron
Died: Air Operations: (No. 4 Squadron Boomerang aircraft A46-109), near Finschhafen PNG, 26 November 1943, Aged 22 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of John William and Maronoa Louisa Slater, of Brisbane, Queensland
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 7, Lae Memorial PNG
Remembered: Panel 98, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 26 November 1943, Boomerang A46-109 was last seen in company with A46-132 in combat with seven enemy Oscar fighters south of the Sanga River 32 miles north north east of Finschafen, New Guinea. The aircraft were then over the area at the mouth of the Sanga River at a height of about 100 feet. The Boomerangs were on a tactical reconnaissance and were escorted by 4 P39s of the 41st Squadron USAAF. They were attacked by a large formation of enemy fighters and the escort became separated from the Boomerangs in the ensuing combat. Both Boomerangs failed to return to their base at Berry and both pilots are missing.
The pilots were:
Flying Officer Hector Charles Munro (10941) (Pilot A46-132)
Flight Sergeant Alan John Salter (414841) (Pilot A46-109)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/37/255; A9845, 205