Aircraft History
Built by Douglas, constructor number 4629. Assigned to the US Army on August 30, 1942. Sent to Australia and served with the 5th Air Force in October 1942. Operated as VH-CCY. (Or possibly VH-CFX).

Nicknamed "Swamp Rat" and a large white rat painted on both sides of the nose, below the cockpit, with the tail wrapping around beneath it.

This C-47 had the distinction of being the first Dakota to land at Pongani Airfield on November 7, 1942 and was photographed on the ground being unloaded by 32nd Infantry Division. It became temporarily bogged at the end of the runway before successfully taking off.

Mission History
This aircraft was taking part in operations between Wanigela Airfield and Dobodura Airfield. After take off from Dobodura bound for Wards Drome (5-Mile), it was intercepted at low altitude without warning by Zeros and shot down. Seen bursting into flames before hitting the ground. American troops reportedly reached the crash site soon afterward and recovered some remains. Two wartime positions were given for the crash site: (1) four miles south of Popondetta and (2) five miles south of Dobodura. Also lost is C-47 41-38631.

Wreckage
The wreckage with remains was located in 1990 by Frank Egiembari and Dave Pennefather.

David Pennefather recalls:
"The most significant of my experiences whilst at Popondetta, that belongs to a C-47 transport named "Swamp Rat". Frank led me to this wreck. Human remains were found in the wreckage. As it turned out two American and one Australian. The remains were subsequently recovered by the US Army but because the remains could not be separated one from the other were interred in a joint grave at Arlington. The Australian, named Milne, being the only Australian buried at Arlington National Cemetery."

John Douglas visited the crash in 1995:
"I have been to this wreck about 1995, with Frank Egiembari. He shot a pig, and we had a great adventure. We found half a skull a shoulder blade and part of an Australian uniform, there were Aussie crew aboard. The US Army Quartermaster people didn't do a very good job. I turned over some wreckage on the ground and remains were clearly visible."

Remains were recovered 1990 by US Army CILHI, and brought to Hawaii for forensic identification.

Memorials
The remains of all four crew members were recovered. Those of Milne and Paul are buried together at Arlington National Cemetery Section 34. Collective Grave 4754. Co-Pilot Milne was a member of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and 25 years old at the time of the shoot down. He has the distinction of being the only Australian buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The remains of Lattier and Believe are likely interred in local cemeteries in the U.S..

All three American crew members were memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery prior to the discovery of the crash site.

Relatives
Phillip Brunskill (newphew of Francis Debenham Milne)
"As part of my search I have found an alternative crew members: Lt Church, Dial that featured in the Pongani bogging and who flew alternate days on "Swamp Rat" as was the practise. I have found the Australian co-pilot a Len Ball and interviewed him! He has given me a story of the "Swamp Rat" ."

References
WWII Pacific Air Transport History List, Volume 1, page 350
Joe Baugher / USAAF Serial Numbers
Thanks to Michael Claringbould, Daniel Leahy, Edward Rogers and Phil Bradley for additional information.

The serial number for "Swamp Rat" is incorrectly recorded incorrectly in RAAF Serial Number List #210 as C-47 41-18601, this aircraft was operation as late as 1943. In casualty file for T/Sgt Paul, who died aboard the plane is correctly listed recorded as being 41-38601.

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Last Updated
November 14, 2011

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