James Alexander HERMAN

Service Number: 407713
Enlisted: 4 January 1941, Adelaide
Last Rank: Sergeant
Last Unit: No. 32 Squadron (RAAF)
Born: Adelaide, South Australia, 6 August 1913
Home Town: Kilkenny, Charles Sturt, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: School Teacher
Died: Accidental air crash, Giru, Queensland, 24 May 1942, aged 28 years
Cemetery: No known grave - "Known Unto God"

Memorials: Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, American River War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Penneshaw Dudley District Hall Roll of Honour WW2, Penneshaw War Memorial, Sydney Memorial (Sydney War Cemetery) Rookwood

4 Jan 1941: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, SN 407713, Aircrew Training Units, Adelaide

5 Jan 1941: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, SN 407713, Aircrew Training Units, Empire Air Training Scheme

1 Feb 1942: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, SN 407713, No. 7 Squadron (RAAF), Homeland Defence - Militia and non deployed forces

1 Apr 1942: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, SN 407713, No. 32 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-

Aircraftman (AC), later Sergeant (Sgt) No. 32 Squadron RAAF, James Alexander Herman, of Kilkenny, SA.

AC Herman was a school teacher prior to enlisting on 4 January 1941. Between January 1941 and February 1942 he trained in Australia as a wireless operator/air gunner. He was promoted to Sergeant on 1 May 1942.

In March he was briefly attached to No. 7 Squadron based at Laverton, Vic.

The next month he became a member of No. 32 Squadron making supply flights between North Queensland and Port Moresby, New Guinea. On the morning of 24 May 1942 he was a crew member of Hudson A16-91 flying in formation between Rockhampton and Townsville. The aircraft collided with another and both crashed near Giru, Qld. All three crew members on board A16-91 were killed. The crew of the other aircraft survived with only minor injuries.

Sgt Herman was 28 years of age. Private Herman's brother, 407030 Sgt Ronald McGregor Herman, 37 Squadron, was also a wireless operator/air gunner. Aged 22 he too was killed in a mid-air collision, over Luga Malta.

http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/Veteran.aspx?ServiceId=R&VeteranId=1012708

National Archives Australia

Last updated : 18 June 2021

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American River Reserve

K.I. Connection - local schoolteacher.

"Local school teacher Jim Herman was the wireless operator on an aircraft flying off Giru (Queensland) on 24 May 1942. Flying conditions were very bumpy and his plane collided with another as they changed formation. On impact with the ground it burst into flames. There were no survivors.." 

32 Squadron were flying twin engine Lockheed Hudson light bomber or coastal reconnaissance  aircraft.  Herman was the Wireless Air Gunner on A16-191 flying from Rockhampton to Townsville when at about 2,000 feet  it collided with another Hudson A16-194.  The aircraft Herman was in crashed into mangroves and the two 100 lb bombs it was carrying exploded on impact killing all four crew members.  There is a memorial near the crash site. The other aircraft made a forced landing on a salt pan and all the crew survived. 

Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), Friday 5 June 1942, page 3

OBITUARY.

We regret to learn through casualties (Private advices) that Sgt. James Alexander (Jim) Herman is reported to have lost his life on May 24th. Jim who was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs T. E. Herman of Woodvile Estate, joined the R.A.A.F. in January 1941. At that time he was in charge of the American River School and was a regular visitor to Kingscote. Mr and Mrs Herman (to whom we extend our sympathy) have also been notified that their third son Sgt. R. Herman R.A A F. is believed to have lost his life on March 8th.

1942 'OBITUARY.', The Kangaroo Island Courier (Kingscote, SA : 1907 - 1951), 5 June, p. 3. ,  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article191416152

HERMAN, James Alexander
b. 06 Aug 1913 Largs Bay, SA
d. 24 May 1942 Horn Island, Qld
e. Military RAAF 407713 KIA (accident)
e. Electoral roll BET 1941 & 1943 [sic] American River, Kangaroo Island teacher