Ditched  October 21, 1944

Mission History
Seven P-47 of the 311th FS 'Tubby Flight' took off from Noemfoor from a strike mission to Ceram. In their eagerness to destroy the enemy departed their target low on fuel. On their return trip they encountered bad weather and while trying to orient themselves discovered that they were unable to reach their base. They all agreed to dive down through an opening in the clouds and ditch their planes in the sea. One pilot with more gas than the others climbed to 13,000 feet contacted his base permitting them to get his position.

After his base had located him on a true bearing 105 miles west of Middleburg he went down through the clouds and landed on the sea. The pilots were scattered over a wide area and ditched around Wai.

The following day, 2nd Emergency Rescue Squadron OA-10 Catalina piloted by Lt George A. Barnes was dispacted to search for the downed pilot. He made no sighting along the coast of Waigeo and proceeded on West to the Jeffman Island Group where on an unnamed island he sighted two survivors.

Search & Rescue
1st Lt George A. Barnes' pilot of Daylight 13 departed in a a seaplane at 0630 on a special mission with instructions to search along the Southern coast of Waigeo and the shores of the Jeffman Island Group. He landed and rescued Cpt O. S. Benner and 1 Lt K. J. Grapeau. After taking off, two escorting P-47 pilots sighted another man down in the sea in his life vest. Lt Barnes flew to that area and and picked up Lt R. W. Powell who was in good shape but very nervous and anxious. His hands were lacerated from the 15 hour immersion in the salt water. The fighters located another pilot in a life raft about ten miles away and directed Lt Barnes to him. Lt Barnes landed for the third time and took the survivor' 1Lt G. E. Taylor, aboard. Lt Taylor was in a moderately severe state of shock, brought on by his being forced to remain in the water alone throughout the night. The fact that he could not swim added to his apprehensiveness. He was given a half grain of morphine and readily fell into a deep sleep. Lt Barnes took off and on his way back flew over the island where he had picked up the first two survivors and sighted another pilot waving frantically. However Lt Barnes was unable to land due to insufficient fuel. He called his fighter cover to continue circling the survivor while he contacted Daylight who proceeded to the area and rescued the fifth survivor. The survivors aboard Daylight 13' were given food, medical care, and otherwise made comfortable. Lt Taylor was taken to the hospital for rest and recuperation and the others were returned to their squadron. The remaining two P-47 pilots were rescued the following day.  Rescued P-47 pilots: Cpt O. S. Benner, 1Lt K. J. Grapeau, 1Lt G. E. Taylor.

Wreckage
Lying upside down. One of the seven P-47s that ditched have been found by divers.  One is broken up in 2m of water, the other two are intact at 28m and 38m depth.

References
Thanks to Douglas Gray and Max Ammer for this information

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