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| USAAF 5th AF 317th TCG 40th TCS  USAAF 1942 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert W. Sams, O-729244 (KIA, BR) SC Co-Pilot F/O Leo V. Harrold, T-185489 (KIA, BR) Navigator 2nd Lt. Alois R. Hollenback, O-734563 (KIA, BR) Engineer SSgt Harold M. Bruce, 16053421 (KIA, BR) Roodhouse, IL Radio Sgt Edward E. Johnson (WIA, DOW) Passenger Signalman Horace Leslie Carroll, VX993 AIF, 6th Div Signals (KIA) Ballarat, VIC Passenger Pvt James Henry Pollard, VX58933 AIF, 2/6 Battalion (KIA) East Prahran, VIC Passenger Pvt William Leonard McCann, SX12017 AIF, 2/6 Battalion (KIA) Lameroo, SA Crashed January 18, 1943 at 9:12am MACR none Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 6050. On November 29, 1942 assigned to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47-DL Skytrain serial number 41-38667. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 317th Troop Carrier Group (317th TCG), 40th Troop Carrier Squadron (40th TCS). No known nickname or nose art. On January 12, 1943 at 5 Mile Drome (Ward) near Port Moresby sustained minor damage on the ground when this C-47 accidentally collided with C-47 "The Jayhawk" 41-18598. Afterwards, repaired and returned to duty. Mission History On January 18, 1943 took off from 5 Mile Drome (Ward) near Port Moresby as one of ten C-47s transporting personnel from the Australian Army 16th Brigade, 2/6th Battalion to Wau Airfield. Inbound, the C-47s were escorted by fighters. At 9:12am while approaching Wau Airfield, this C-47 was third to land but approached too low and clipped trees and crashed roughly 250 meters off the northern end of the runway killing the crew and three passengers. Other passengers were injured and later died of their injuries. This was the first fatal accident during the airlift operation to Wau. Officially condemned on December 1, 1943. Wreckage The fate of this aircraft is unknown, possibly parts were salvaged or abandoned at the airfield after the crash. Memorials The crew and passengers were officially declared dead the day of the crash. Sams is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Gaffney, SC. Harrold has an unknown grave, likely in his hometown in the United States. Hollenback has an unknown grave, likely in his hometown in the United States. Bruce is buried at New Manchester Cemetery in Manchester, IL. Johnson has an unknown grave, likely in his hometown in the United States. Carroll is buried at Lae War Cemtery at plot H row D grave 9. He is also memorialized at Australian War Memorial (AWM) on panel 26. Pollard is buried at Bomana War Cemtery at plot B1 row F grave 23. He is also memorialized at Australian War Memorial (AWM) on panel 32. McCann is buried at Bomana War Cemtery at plot B1 row F grave 24. He is also memorialized at Australian War Memorial (AWM) on panel 32. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Robert W. Sams NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Harold M. Bruce USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47-DL Skytrain 41-38667 "38667 (MSN 6050) to USAAF Nov 29, 1942 - 5th AF, Australia Jan 12, 1943. Damaged Jan 12, 1943 when struck by C-47 41-18598 at taownsville-Garbutt Field, Queensland, Australia. w/o Jan 18, 1943 when hit trees on approach to Wau, PNG. 5 killed. Aircraft condemned Dec 01, 1943." WW2 Nominal Roll - Robert Wood Sams FindAGrave - Robert Wood Sams (photo, grave photo) FindAGrave - SSGT Harold Meade Bruce (grave photo) date of death listed as January 19, 1943 WW2 Nominal Roll - Horace Leslie Carroll CWGC - Horace Leslie Carroll date of death listed as January 16, 1943 FindAGrave - Signalman Horace Leslie Carroll (grave photos) FindAGrave - Horace Leslie Carroll (AWM) CWGC - James Henry Pollard FindAGrave - Private James Henry Pollard (grave photos) FindAGrave - James Henry Pollard (AWM) CWGC - William Leonard McCann FindAGrave - Private William Leonard McCann (photo, grave photos) FindAGrave - William Leonard McCann (AWM) Allied Air Transport Operations SWPA in WWII Volume Two (2006) pages 424-425 (list the five crew and states three Australian Army passengers were killed), 547 (index C-47 41-38667) The Battle for Wau (2008) pages 116-117, 257 17th Brigade War Diary, AWM 52, 8/2/17 Jan 43, pages 6-7 40th Airlift Squadron via Wikipedia "Wau saw the 40th [TCS]'s first combat casualties when a crew crashed while attempting to land on 18 January [1943]." Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 22, 2025 |
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