Antikythera, Greece — A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Baltimore bomber, missing since a World War II mission in December 1943, has been discovered underwater off the Greek island of Antikythera, ending an 82-year mystery surrounding the fate of three of its crew members from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
The wreck of Baltimore FW282, located at a depth of 61 meters by the Greek technical diving group AegeanTec in 2024, was confirmed as the lost RAAF aircraft by History and Heritage – Air Force (HUWC-AF). The discovery sheds light on the final moments of the four-man crew:
- Pilot: Flight Lieutenant (FLTLT) William Alroy Hugh Horsley (RAAF) – captured
- Navigator: FLTLT Leslie Norman Row (Royal Air Force [RAFVR]) – missing
- Wireless Operator/Air Gunner: Pilot Officer Colin William Walker (RAAF) – missing
- Wireless Operator/Air Gunner: Warrant Officer John Gartside (Royal New Zealand Air Force [RNZAF]) – missing
AegeanTec, a team specializing in deep-water wreck exploration, contacted HUWC-AF after suspecting the find was a RAAF plane. “This discovery is significant and offers the chance to provide closure to families,” said Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Chief of Air Force. “Groups like AegeanTec are vital in helping us account for the 3,143 Australian aviators with no known grave from World War II and the Korean conflict.”
Chappell joined RAF Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, and RNZAF Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, in announcing the find, honoring the multinational crew’s bravery. “I’m pleased to acknowledge, alongside my RAF and RNZAF colleagues, the courage of these aviators from our three nations,” Chappell added.
Knighton highlighted the enduring ties between the RAF, RAAF, and RNZAF. “This generation embodied service and comradeship, forming the foundation for the RAF’s ongoing mission to secure the UK,” he said. “Their duty inspires our future generations.” Webb expressed gratitude to AegeanTec, noting, “I hope this brings closure to the families. We can now honor their resting place with the respect they deserve.”
Operated by RAAF’s No. 454 Squadron, Baltimore FW282 was returning from a mission over the Aegean Sea on December 3, 1943, when German fighters attacked, inflicting severe damage. As the plane ditched into the sea, pilot FLTLT Horsley was knocked unconscious, waking as water flooded the cockpit. He swam to shore alone and was captured by German forces, spending the war as a prisoner. His three crewmates were presumed dead, listed as missing.
After consultations with the RAF and RNZAF, the decision was made to leave the wreck undisturbed, though the RAAF will organize a memorial service to commemorate the crew. This discovery not only resolves a decades-old question but also pays tribute to the sacrifices of Allied airmen in the fight for freedom.