Pilot 1st Lt Robert M. Tomberg, O-737297 (survived)
Crashed April 16, 1944 "Black Sunday"
MACR none
Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 2849. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38J-15-LO Lightning serial number 42-104015. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled.
Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group ( 475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 433nd Fighter Squadron (433nd FS) "Possum". Assigned an unknown three digit squadron number in the range of 170–199. No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines and weapon serial numbers listed in Missing Air Crew Report 4500 (MACR 4500).
Mission History
On April 16, 1944 took off from Nadzab No. 3 Airfield piloted by 1st Lt Robert M. Tomberg a mission to escort A-20 Havocs over Hollandia. Returning, the formation encountered a severe weather front. Tomberg successfully bailed out before the crash and landed safely.
Search
The next day, aircraft searched for this plane and pilot without success.
Fate of the Pilot
Tomberg landed unhurt and returned to duty on April 22, 1944.
Wreckage
This P-38 crashed and burned near Meibu village. In 2009-2010 a team from JPAC visited the crash site.
Memorials
Tomberg joined the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and served in the Korean War. He retired as a Lt. Colonel and passed away on August 8, 1994. He has a memorial marker at Arlington National Cemetery memorial section H.
References
Missing Air Crew Report 4503 (MACR 4503) page 2 mentions Robert M. Tomberg return to duty on April 22, 1944
FindAGrave - LTC Robert Miles Tomberg (grave photo)
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-38J Lightning 42-104015
Black Sunday (2000) mentions this aircraft
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Last Updated
March 9, 2024
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