|
 |
|
|
| 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 8th FG 36th FS |
Pilot 2nd Lt George E. Fenn, O-742992 (MIA / KIA) Oshkosh, WI Crashed October 28, 1943 MACR 1007 Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39Q-5-BE Airacobra serial number 42-20031. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Fighter Group (8th FG) "Cyclone's Flying Circus", 36th Fighter Squadron (36th FS) "The Flying Fiends". No known nose art or nickname. When lost, engine V-1710-85 serial number 42-98338. Armed with 50 caliber machine gun serial number 661654, 741090, 292046, 292229. 37mm cannon serial number 12250. Mission History On October 28, 1943 at 3:10pm took off from 5 Mile Drome (Wards) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt George E. Fenn on an armed patrol bound for the Nadzab area. The four plane formation was led by 1st Lt John J. Perkins. During the flight, the formation experienced a violent weather front with 100% overcast with visibility above overcast of twenty miles, and flew along the coast at 20,000' to avoid the weather. The flight was was last seen by 1st Lt John J. Perkins roughly 25 miles north of Bulldog in bad weather at approximately 4:10pm. Returning to base alone, P-39Q piloted by 1st Lt. Perkins periodically attempted to reach his flight by radio without result. At 5:05pm, he landed safely at 5 Mile Drome. The other three Airacobras failed to return and were officially listed as Missing In Action: P-39Q 42-19987 (MIA, resolved), P-39Q 42-19959 (MIA) and this aircraft. Search The next day, two P-39s searched for 2.5 hours for the missing aircraft along the coast from Port Moresby to "Kermina" (Kerema?) and inland to the mountain range. That same day, four other P-39s patrolling the Bulldog area also looked for the lost planes. On October 30, an A-24 Dive Bomber searched the mountains beyond Bulldog and Kokoda Pass area. Also, a PBY also searched for the missing planes along the coast to the Fly River but failed to find anything. On October 31, one A-24 and two P-39s continued to search, but found nothing. Memorials Fenn was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - George E. Fenn USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-39Q-5-BE Airacobra 42-20031 "20031 (8th FG) lost Oct 27, 1943, New Britain. MACR 1007" Missing Air Crew Report 1007 (MACR 1007) October 1943 USAAF Overseas Accident Reports American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George E. Fenn FindAGrave - 2Lt George E Fenn (tablets of the missing photo) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39Q Airacobra 42-20031 Attack & Conquer (1995) page 313 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 P-39  MIA 1 Missing |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
