USAAF
19th BG
93rd BS
Crew 1st Lt. Hugh S. Grundman, O-394075 (KIA / recovered)
Crew 1st L t LeRoy F. Foltz, O-659882
Crew 1st Lt Donald L. Bonham, O-437934
Crew 1st Lt Frank M. Burton Jr., O-724198
Crew Pfc William A. Takala (KIA / recovered)
Crashed August 9, 1942
Mission History
This aircraft was flying in the fourth position on an attack on Rabaul, but due to engine trouble the plane lagged behind during the last few minutes before reaching the target. The formation was attacked by a large number of enemy fighters, and this aircraft, which was not supported by the fire power of the other three B-17s sustained the brunt of the enemy attacks.
Upon leaving the target, this bomber was last observed losing altitude while fighting off repeated enemy attacks. Shot down and crashed at Rondahls Plantation near Kabanga Bay.
Wreckage
This wreck was visited after the war and visited by S/L Rundle RAAF Searcher Team, that identified the bomber from the serial number.
The remains of Grundmann and Takala were recovered and identified. Remains of the crew were reportedly buried by Father Obereiter. Today the plantation where the crash site is located is known as Mokurapaua Plantation.
Brian Bennett adds:
"I had been to this site a number of times many years ago. For a long time it was mixed up with Hal Pease aircraft [B-17E "Why Don't We Do This More Often 41-] but of course turned out not to be so. The area where the crew remains were buried was correct and some years ago CILHI re-located all the graves. I recall that CILHI found one hand that had been left behind when the remains were disinterred post war. At one point there was a place on the plantation where a pig pen had been made using quite a lot of pieces of wreckage."
References
Note: Wartime reference mention the crash site being near Keravat, but this is incorrect.
Thanks to Brian Bennett for additional information
B-17
MIA
Resolved
