WATKINS, Dodd Wayne, Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy, Service no. 2683694, Enl: Florida, MIA 25/02/1942, DD 04/12/1945
Battle of the Java Sea
Mother, Mrs. Mary Esther Hoeft, 3201 21st St., No. St. Petersburg, Fla.
Brother, Charles Oscar Watkins
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PBY-5 Catalina, Serial Number 28-5MNE Y-73
Squadron Number 44, USN, Patrol Wing 10, VP-101
Former assignment, Dutch Navy
Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation at San Diego as Model 28-5MNE. Purchased by the Marine-Luchtvaartdienst (MLD) Dutch Navy for use in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) as PBY-5 Catalina 28-5MNE Y-73. Instead, delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) but no bureau number (BuNo) was assigned. In late January 1942 ferried overseas via the "Africa Route" to Java.
Wartime History
In late January 1942 assigned to the U.S. Navy (USN) to Patrol Wing 10 (PatWing 10) to Patrol Squadron 101 (VP-101) with squadron number 44 and operated by a U.S. Navy crew.
Mission History
On February 25, 1942 took off piloted by Lt(jg) William S. Robinson on a mission over Bali Island. Over the target, this Catalina was likely at a low altitude in the vicinity of Denpasar Airfield when it was intercepted by Japanese fighters and shot down in flames. When this Catalina failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Afterwards, no trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found.
Likely, this Catalina was shot down by two A6M2 Zeros from the 3rd Kokutai (3rd Air Group) with a C5M2 Babs from the Tainan Kokutai (Tainan Air Group) on a scouting mission over Bali. Over the target area, they claim a Catalina flying at 150' as shot down.
Lou Dorny / The Baltic Group Archive adds:
"The Wing's No. 44: as for No. 42, but analysis of other fragments says the MLD number had been Y-73. Y-73 had only reached Java from the factory via Africa in late January, and likely never actually served with a Dutch crew. Loss data is solid: 25 Feb over Bali. Again, Shores, 2 / 231, records that two 3rd Ku A6Ms with a Tainan Ku C5M scouting Bali shot down a Catalina flying at only 150 feet, presuming this was the wings No. 44. That seems quite likely."
Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on December 4, 1945.
Crew:
LTJG William S. Robinson, Pilot, O-077765 USNR (MIA / KIA) Detroit, MI
RM1 Ted Moreland, 3465995 (NAP) (MIA / KIA) AR
AMM1 Alder J. Holder, 2741335 (MIA / KIA) CA
AMM2 Dodd W. Watkins, 2683694 (MIA / KIA) FL
RM1 Paul H. Landers, 3370582 (MIA / KIA) IL
AM2 Willard O. Perry, 3857820 USN (MIA / KIA) WA
RM2 Truman W. Miller, 3681975 (MIA / KIA) ID
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/pby/28-5MNE-73.html
Suggested edit kindly shared by contributor 50696055
Note: VPNavy.org VP-101 additional crew:
AOM2 Wayne S Wilson
WATKINS, Dodd Wayne, Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy, Service no. 2683694, Enl: Florida, MIA 25/02/1942, DD 04/12/1945
Battle of the Java Sea
Mother, Mrs. Mary Esther Hoeft, 3201 21st St., No. St. Petersburg, Fla.
Brother, Charles Oscar Watkins
------------------------------------------------------------------
PBY-5 Catalina, Serial Number 28-5MNE Y-73
Squadron Number 44, USN, Patrol Wing 10, VP-101
Former assignment, Dutch Navy
Aircraft History
Built by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation at San Diego as Model 28-5MNE. Purchased by the Marine-Luchtvaartdienst (MLD) Dutch Navy for use in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) as PBY-5 Catalina 28-5MNE Y-73. Instead, delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) but no bureau number (BuNo) was assigned. In late January 1942 ferried overseas via the "Africa Route" to Java.
Wartime History
In late January 1942 assigned to the U.S. Navy (USN) to Patrol Wing 10 (PatWing 10) to Patrol Squadron 101 (VP-101) with squadron number 44 and operated by a U.S. Navy crew.
Mission History
On February 25, 1942 took off piloted by Lt(jg) William S. Robinson on a mission over Bali Island. Over the target, this Catalina was likely at a low altitude in the vicinity of Denpasar Airfield when it was intercepted by Japanese fighters and shot down in flames. When this Catalina failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA). Afterwards, no trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found.
Likely, this Catalina was shot down by two A6M2 Zeros from the 3rd Kokutai (3rd Air Group) with a C5M2 Babs from the Tainan Kokutai (Tainan Air Group) on a scouting mission over Bali. Over the target area, they claim a Catalina flying at 150' as shot down.
Lou Dorny / The Baltic Group Archive adds:
"The Wing's No. 44: as for No. 42, but analysis of other fragments says the MLD number had been Y-73. Y-73 had only reached Java from the factory via Africa in late January, and likely never actually served with a Dutch crew. Loss data is solid: 25 Feb over Bali. Again, Shores, 2 / 231, records that two 3rd Ku A6Ms with a Tainan Ku C5M scouting Bali shot down a Catalina flying at only 150 feet, presuming this was the wings No. 44. That seems quite likely."
Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead on December 4, 1945.
Crew:
LTJG William S. Robinson, Pilot, O-077765 USNR (MIA / KIA) Detroit, MI
RM1 Ted Moreland, 3465995 (NAP) (MIA / KIA) AR
AMM1 Alder J. Holder, 2741335 (MIA / KIA) CA
AMM2 Dodd W. Watkins, 2683694 (MIA / KIA) FL
RM1 Paul H. Landers, 3370582 (MIA / KIA) IL
AM2 Willard O. Perry, 3857820 USN (MIA / KIA) WA
RM2 Truman W. Miller, 3681975 (MIA / KIA) ID
https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/pby/28-5MNE-73.html
Suggested edit kindly shared by contributor 50696055
Note: VPNavy.org VP-101 additional crew:
AOM2 Wayne S Wilson
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WATKINS DODD W - AVN MACHINIST'S MATE 2C - USN - FLORIDA
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