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| USAAF 5th AF 308th BW 418th NFS |
Pilot 1st Lt Ira M. Barnett, O-746022 (survived) Maitland, FL Navigator-Observer F/O Thomas R. Wright, T-180062 (survived) Radio Sgt Peter P. Whipland, 12203192 (survived) Gunner Pfc Harold A. Quidgeon, 31193866 [Tantaquidgeon] (survived) CT Crashed July 27, 1944 MACR 8784 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 98-21423. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25H-5 Mitchell serial number 43-4422. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 308th Bombardment Wing (308th BW), 418th Night Fighter Squadron (418th NFS). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On July 27, 1944 took off from Wakde Airfield piloted by 1st Lt Ira M. Barnett as one of four B-25s on an anti-shipping strike over the Vogelkop Peninsula at the northwestern end of New Guinea. Flying in pairs, two patrolled northwest towards Manokwari then turned southward. The other two patrolled westward over Bentoni Bay and MacCluer Gulf then turned northward. The four linked up over the Beraoer River and Barnett spotted a "Sugar Charlie" (Japanese ship 500 ton) but was the last to make an attack and was hit by anti-aircraft fire that damaged one engine. Immediately, pilot Barnett feathered the engine and turned back towards base but was loosing altitude and radioed that he was going to crash land. At 11:30am, this B-25 force landed roughly 20 miles from Bira in the interior of western New Guinea. On impact, the rear fuselage broke off with plane broke apart with Quidgeon and Whipland injured in the leg and thrown clear. In the cockpit, Barnett and Wright were bruised from the landing. Fates of the Crew After the landing, the entire crew assembled on the wing and gave first aid to Whipland for his leg wound. The crew gathered usable equipment and supplies and attempted to use the "Gibson Girl" radio but it was damaged. Due to the swampy conditions, the crew camped on the wing of the crashed plane. The crew readied one of the plane's .50 caliber machine guns to defend themselves. Search Hearing the radio distress call, B-25 pilot 1st Lt. Albert R. Sorbo searched for the plane. At 1:30pm he spotted the crash site as the crew fired three flares. He noted the approximate position then returned to base to notify Air Sea Rescue. Later in the afternoon, a Catalina flew overhead and was also signaled. Rescue Over the next days, an Allied plane either a B-25 or Catalina dropped supplies to the downed crew. Afterwards, a rescue party flown aboard a Catalina with personnel plus 14 U.S. Army soldiers from the 6th Army. On August 16, 1944 at 3:30pm the rescue party reached the crash. Before departing, the crew destroyed usable equipment and disabled the single .50 caliber machine gun they had serviceable for defense. Within an hour departed with them following their path back to the river. On August 19, 1944 a OA-10 Catalina flew them to Owi Airfield then aboard a B-25 to Hollandia where they were welcomed back to the squadron. Memorials Barnett passed away on January 16, 1980 at age 58. He is buried at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Winter Park, FL. Quidgeon [Tantaquidgeon] earned the Purple Heart for the mission and Air Medal. He passed away in 1989. He is buried at Shantok Burial Ground in Uncasville, CT. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Ira M. Barnett NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Thomas R. Wright NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Peter P. Whipland NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Harold A. Quidgeon USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25H-5 Mitchell 43-4422 FindAGrave - Ira Mason Barnett (obituary) FindAGrave - Thomas R. Wright FindAGrave - Peter P. Whipland FindAGrave - Chief Harold Albert Tantaquidgeon (photos, obituary, resolution, grave photo) History of the 418th Night Fighter Squadron from New Guinea to Japan in World War II (2002) pages 12 (Barnett arrives in SWPA), 21 (Barnett), 32-33 (July 27, 1944 mission), 36 (return of crew) 36-37 (narrative account), 66 (orders for Barnett overseas), 67 (Barnett letter of commendation), 80 (Barnett awarded Air Medal) Kais: A True Story of a Daring Rescue in the swamps of New Guinea, Summer 1944 (2019) by Bas Kreuger AHSA (QLD) Locating a Wrecked B-25H Mitchell by Bas Kreuger July 22, 2020 Thanks to Bas Kreuger 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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