|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 433rd TCG 66th TCS  via Hocking c1943  USAAF c1943 |
Pilot 1st Lt Paul F. Jacobs, O-669730 (survived) Co-Pilot 2nd Lt George W. Felton, O-1286624 (survived) Crew Chief S/Sgt Thanes J. "Tom" Benish, 33264443 (survived) Radio Sgt Ralph L. Hibbs, 32270243 (WIA, slight head injuries, survived) Mercer County, NJ Passenger Flight Lt. Donald Cameron 3rd RAAF Maintenance Company (survived) Passenger Captain Snyder, 804th Medical Air Evacuation (survived) Crashed February 12, 1944 at 10:00am MACR none Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 9575. On May 21, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47A-30-DL Dakota serial number 42-23713. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 433rd Troop Carrier Group (433rd TCG), 66th Troop Carrier Squadron (66th TCS). Nicknamed "Billie L." and later renamed "Ghost of Billie L." with the nose art of a nude woman with her legs crossed and her right hand behind her head. Nose number / Buzz Number 237 on each side of the cockpit. Mission History On February 12, 1944 took off from Nadzab Airfield piloted by 1st Lt Paul F. Jacobs on a mission to air drop supplies over Kerowagi in the Highlands of New Guinea. While making their approach, a cloud bank came up and the pilot tried to tried to pull up. Despite applying full power, the aircraft continued to settle towards the runway, landing about halfway along, struck a hut with its wing, and went over an embankment, breaking the fuselage, both engines caught fire then crashed at 10:00am near Mingendi Mission a couple of miles short of Kerowagi. Afterwards, the fires were extinguished and the crew survived unhurt with only radio operator Hibbs suffering slight head injuries. Relatives Fiona Hocking (daughter of Donald Cameron): "My father, Don Cameron, was in the 3rd Australian Air Maintenance Company in New Guinea in 1943 based at Nadzab. His company was in a joint operation with the American 66th Troop Carrier Squadron - the 'Biscuit Bombers'. There were ten American C-47's in their group. One, who's number was 237 and nicknamed 'Billie L' was usually piloted by Captain Richard (Dick) A. Grant. On 12th February, 1944, my father, two other Australians and three Americans set off in 'Billie L' from Nadzab for Kerowagi for a supply drop. They were headed for Kerowagi when a bank of clouds came up suddenly. The pilot said he didn't like the look of it and dad agreed that they should turn back. The cloud came in too fast and with next to no visibility, they crashed into Mingendi Mission, the left wing clipping a hut and the fuselage broke in two. Somehow, all on board escaped. Dad told the Chief he could have the plane and any supplies they could salvage and asked if someone could get a message to Kerowagi for them. The message said that they had crashed, all were OK and requested immediate evacuation from Kerowagi. The Chief then had all six stretchered to Kerowagi which Dad said took most of the day. The next day Dick Grant flew up in another C-47 and landed on what Dad describes as no longer than a cricket pitch. The natives helped turn the plane around and back it up into the bushes so that only the front wheels were on the landing strip. When all were on board, Dick revved the plane until it was shaking and then released the brakes. The plane dropped off the side of the mountain and he used the thermals to keep it airborne until they had the necessary air speed to fly. Another C-47 was commissioned to replace 'Billie L' and they named her 'Ghost of Billie L'. Dad turn 85 in April this year and he said he wishes he had a photo of all 10 planes in their group with their insignia on them. He can't remember all of their names - just three: 'Billie L', 'Suzie Q' and 'Dewars'." References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Ralph L. Hibbs USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47A-30-DL Dakota 42-23713 "23713 (MSN 9575) delivered May 21, 1943 - 5th AF Brisbane Jul 16, 1943 - Condemned Feb 15, 1944 accident" 433rd Troop Carrier Group unit history Frame 284 Microfilm A0986 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - C-47 Dakota 42-23713 Thanks to Fiona Hocking 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
|
 C-47 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
