Info April 12th 1943. Twin bomber crash on the island of St Vincent, British West Indies

[Duncan Richardson]

Hello all

I am new here and seeking some help in identifying a downed bomber and any additional information. I am researching various aspects of the war and it's impact on the island of St Vincent, West Indies. I am a pilot and near my airfield I have seen an engine block and firewall of a light twin bomber that crashed along the beachfront while attempting a forced landing with a dead engine. There are two war graves in the local Georgetown cemetery, one Australian and one British with another in the cemetery in the capital Kingstown. I am told there might have been an American casualty as well. The date was April 12th 1943 and it is reputed the bomber was being ferried to Russia from the USA via Trinidad, Belem, Dacca and onwards.

Because of war secrecy nothing seems to have been published in the local newspapers and the memory of the crash dims in people's minds. My wife who was born in 1948 remembers playing on the wreckage which eventualy disintegrated in the salt air.

I have an old photograph taken shortly after of the burnt wreck and I have the crew names of those left here. It is said the American was disinterred and taken home.

1. Douglas William Perry. Sergeant (Nav) 1332428. Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve

2. Geoffrey John Hamilton Carter. Sergeant 412229. Royal Australian
Air Force

3. Lennox Dane Faulkner. Captain Royal Air Force Transport Command

In closing, 1942 and 43 saw a vast number of aircraft stationed in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico to counteract the U boat onslaught here that accounted for nearly one third of allied shipping losses in 1942.

Hope someone can help
Duncan