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Historic Avro Anson Found

Posted by B Darnell on Wed Sep 17, 2003 08:51:00 AM

Fromm ANN:
Halim's Avro Found: Indonesian Report

Air Cmdr. Halim Perdanakusuma, the founder of the Indonesian Air
Force (the world's third largest, behind Red China and India,
according to recent intelligence), was shot down during his
country's war for independence from the Dutch, on December 14,
1947. He and his co-pilot, Lt. Iswahyudi, were both killed, as
their Avro Anson crashed. Iswahyudi's body was never found; Halim
is buried in Jakarta's Kalibata Heroes Cemetery.

The Anson (Canadian example shown) was certainly no match
for the Dutch P-51s, and despite its historical significance, its
disappearance was believed complete, until now.

Its final resting place, long believed to have been somewhere in
the Straits of Malacca, turns out to have been in a forested swamp,
near the shore. An Avro Anson was discovered there a couple weeks
ago.

The Indonesian Air Force is pretty certain that this is Halim's
airplane; he flew the only Anson in Indonesia. A faded vestige of
Indonesia's flag is still painted on the wreck's tail. A salvage
operation is in the planning stages.
FMI: www.geocities.com/sheepo74/indonesia.html

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