USAAF
5th AF
8th FG
80th FS
John Douglas 1995
Pilot Lt. Campbell P. M. Wilson (survived)
Force
Landed April 12,
1943
Pilot History
Lt. Campbell P.M. Wilson was later promoted to Major and became C/O of the 433rd Weapons Squadron from August 15, 1944 - March 13, 1945.
Mission History
One of three P-38s from the 80th Fighter Squadron that took off from 3-Mile Drome (Kila Drome) patrolling in the Port Moresby area, and were vectored to intercept the Japanese bombers and fighters attacking Port Moresby. Leading their formation was 1st Lt. Donald C. McGee, wingman Lt. Robert Siebenthal. The third was piloted by Lt. Campbell Wilson.
The P-38s flew upward to the formation of G4M1 Betty bombers. Lt. Campbell Wilson experienced trouble with his right engine and fell behind the other two Lightnings, and dropped into cloud cover, and did not participate in the interception.
Later, inland of Yule Island, this P-38 was attacked by a A6M Zero from behind, a single burst of gunfire shattered his cockpit and holed the left engine. The attacking Zero flew above it, allowing Wlison to spiral to the left and escape.
Wilson was wounded by shattered perspex glass and shrapnel in his eye, but landed at Rogers Drome (30 Mile Drome) veering off the runway while landing. The Lightning was written off after landing.
Wreckage
The nose section, separated from the wreck, was recovered
for the PNG
Museum restoration
of P-38F 42-12647 in 1978. Wreckage remained at the airfield until at least 1995.
Justin Taylan adds:
"The wreckage at Rogers was either scraped or otherwise missing
as of 2004."
References
Attack & Conquer, page 104
Thanks to Bruce Hoy and Edward Rogers for additional info
P-38
April 12, 1943 Mission
