|
 |
|
|
| 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 49th FG 7th FS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Robert W. Croft, O-794471 (survived) Crashed December 4, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40N Warhawk serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG) "Fighting 49ers", 7th Fighter Squadron (7th FS) "Screamin' Demons". No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On December 4, 1943 took off from Gusap Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Robert W. Croft on a strafing mission against Japanese positions in Madang, Alexishafen and Dogomur Bay (Dogamur) on the north coast of New Guinea. Due to bad weather, this aircraft flew southward and crash landed in the Fly River area near Dauan Island. When this aircraft failed to return it was reported as Missing In Action (MIA). Fate of the Pilot Croft landed unhurt and was found by local people who cared for him for three days. Afterwards, they took him to a timber camp operated by the Australian Army. Afterwards, he was rescued from Daru Island by a PBY Catalina and transported to Port Moresby and admitted to the 117th Station Hospital and was released on December 19, 1943 and returned to duty. References 49th Fighter Group History frame 541 49th Fighter Group application for sick leave Croft PNG Museum Aircraft Card - P-40N piloted by Croft Corresponence between Robert W. Croft and the PNG Museum, February 8, 1982 Protect and AvengThe 49th Fighter Group in WWII (1995) mentions this loss Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 P-40 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
