Pilot  2nd Lt. Povlsen
Co-Pilot  Major Joshua H. Barnes (C.O. of 65th BS)
Crew Chief  T/Sgt Skorczewski (KIA)
Ditched  September 9, 1943

Aircraft History
Built for $297,627.00. This B-24 was received by the USAAF on December 15, 1942. Arrived in Australia around April 14, 1943. Served with the 90th BG, 321st BS, where it was nicknamed "Joltin' Janie" and flew many missions until transfered to the 43rd BG.

Mission History
Took off on a trainting flight, Co-Pilot Barnes was transitioning from B-17s to B-24s. Crew Chief Skorczewski asked to join the flight, but Barnes refused. Instead, he stowed away on the bomber. After take off, the landing gear did not raise nor did it gain altitude above 200' so they decided to ditch in the shallow water of Bootless Bay, near Oyster Bay. In the ditching, the bomb bay doors were ripped off and the fuselage broken.

Wreckage
This aircraft was largely intact after the war, but gradully pieces have been removed by villagers for scrap metal. In the 1980s all that remained was the wings and center fuselage.

References
Wrecks & Reefs page 130-131

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