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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 90th BS |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Max L. Short (survived) Alameda, CA Gunner SSgt Charles D. Frazier, 17105967 (survived) Clinton, IA Ditched March 12, 1944 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as A-20G-20-DO Havoc serial number 42-86778. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On March 12, 1944 took off from Nadzab Airfield No. 4 (APO 713, Unit 1) piloted by 2nd Lt. Max L. Short as one of thirty-six A-20s on a mission against Boram Airfield west of Wewak. The weather was overcast at 10,000'-15,000' with stratocumulus clouds 8/10 coverage with bottoms at 1,500' and tops at 4,000'. Returning from the mission, A-20G Havoc 42-86747 piloted by Rutters was to lead the four planes in his section including A-20G 42-86778 (this aircraft) and A-20G 42-86614 back to Nadzab Airfield. Instead, Rutters became lost and separated from the other planes and ditched. The other aircraft in Rutters' section ran low on fuel and also ditched near shore on the southern coast of New Guinea northwest of Port Moresby. This A-20 ditched into the sea off Port Chalmers (Iokea). Search The next day, A-20G Havoc piloted by Major Rosebush unsuccessfully searched for A-20G 42-86730 in the Dumpu area and the southern coast of New Guinea towards Port Moresby. During his search, he spotted two A-20s on the beach, possibly two of the A-20s that ditched or force landed in this area. Fates of the Crew The crew survived unhurt and were taken by native people to the Australian Army and transported to Port Moresby where they both returned to duty. References NAA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Max L. Short NAA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles D. Frazier USAF Serial Number Search Results - A-20G-20-DO Havoc The News-Review (Roseburg, Oregon) Tuesday, June 29, 1943 page 4 "Aviation Cadet Max L. Short, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Short, Drew, was graduated recently from the army air forces advanced flying school at Yuma, Arizona. He received primary and basic training at Rankin Air academy, Tulare, Calif., and Le-moore Army Flying school, Le-moore, Calif. He is a graduate of Rosehurg high school, where he lettered in track, and also attended Oregon State college and Pacific college at Stockton, Calif. He is a member of Sigma thi Epsilon fraternity." Thanks to Keith Hopper and Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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