Historical information

Flt Lt J S Austin DFC, 400363. No 608 Sqn RAF, Nos 32, 13 & 2 Sqns. Stock agent of Lara, Vic;
b Melbourne 15 May 1918. Died of illness 9 Nov 1943.

Timor was the target for the night of 6 July, when Flight Lieutenant "Bunny" Austin
(A16-207) led five Hudsons to bomb Koepang town. The next night he led back seven
aircraft against the airfield at Penfoei, attacking before dawn on the 8th prior to
United States Liberators bombing the runways and barracks.
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Austin's aircraft was caught by Penfoei's master defensive searchlight, and Austin used violent evasion and
switching on and off of his IFF equipment, a tactic used in Europe. The radar-controlled searchlights
went out. Flying Officer Mick Helsham (A16-160) attacked first to act as a pathfinder and mark the target for the other Hudsons and Liberators:

Significance

Full service records of J. S. Austin held by Lara R.S.L.

Physical description

Plain Sheet A4 paper with 2 photographs 1. A. Bowler W. 9.8 cm H. 13.8 cm photograph 2. J.S. Austin W. 1`5.9 cm H. 10.0 cm

Inscriptions & markings

A4 sheet heading as: W.W. 2 War Graves of Lara Men.
Note on photograph 1. Grave of A. Bowler, Bomana War Cemetery.