Flt Lt McAllister RAAF POW

[Col Bruggy]

Brian,

MacALISTER, Jack Lyle. Flt Lt, OBE, DFC 390
Born: Melbourne, Victoria 28/12/.1917.
2 Sqn RAAF- 1 MRU. Hudson A16-109. Koepang, Timor 23/3/1942

He was a former commercial pilot. He was on a Photographic reconnaissance operation and had bombed a flying boat in the harbour when he was intercepted by Zeros. One was shot down, but damage to the starboard engine and the ensuing fire, spelt the end and he was forced to bale out at low level.

The aircraft crashed at Oeploela, 30 miles north of Koepang, six miles from Tjamplong. MacAlister had successfully baled out in the mountains, but the remainder of the crew were killed in the air battle or the abandoning attempt.

After landing, MacAlister was strafed by the enemy fighters and was eventually captured in the village of Tjamplong. In Timor, at Ozarphan Bazaar, together with Lt-Col Leggatt**, Major Wyatt*** and four members of 2/40 Battalion, he tried to steal a transport plane, but the starter battery had been removed.

A Later escape attempt whilst in Changi was thwarted when he was betrayed by a civilian contact, he was tortured and sentenced to nine months solitary confinement in the notorious Outram Road Gaol and to 17 years imprisonment overall - should he survive!

Uasapa Besar, Changi.

Killed: Sgt Donald George James HORSBURGH 11640, Sgt John Royston MADDERN 401824 and Sgt James Gordon WRIGHT 405530 - ref: xcix - Highest Traditions The History of No.2 Squadron RAAF. John Bennett. Canberra:A.G.P.S.,1995*

See:
Wingless A Biographical Index of Australian Airmen Detained in Wartime
Roberts,T.V.(Dr.)
Ballarat:Author,2011.
p.308

* Brian, the events mentioned by Dr Roberts are elaborated upon by John Bennett in his, Highest Traditions (pp.154-5). Way too long to transcribe.

See also: http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10683835

and ...

** https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10680708

*** http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/Veteran.as...teranId=778902

Col.