Pacific Wrecks - SBD-5 Dauntless Bureau Number NZ5051

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

SBD-5 Dauntless Serial Number NZ5051

RNZAF
No. 25 Squadron

Pilot Flight Lieutenant Jack W. Edwards, 39908 (MIA / KIA) Auckland, NZ
Gunner Warrant Officer Louis Andreas Hoppe (MIA / KIA) Auckland, NZ
Crashed May 10, 1944 around 11:00am

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo. Constructors Number 5536. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as SBD-5 Dauntless bureau number 36908. Disassembled and shipped overseas to New Zealand.

Wartime History
On February 24, 1944 delivered to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as SBD-5 Dauntless serial number NZ5051 and reassembled and assigned to 25 Servicing Unit. On March 24, 1944 ferried to Piva Uncle Airfield on Bougainville. Assigned to No. 25 Squadron. No known nose art or nickname.

Mission History
On May 10, 1944 took off from Piva Airfield on Bougainville piloted by Flight Lieutenant Jack W. Edwards with gunner Warrant Officer Louis A. Hoppe on a bombing mission against Rabaul. During the bombing run, hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into Greet Harbor.

Memorials
Both crew members were officially declared dead the day of the mission. Both are memorialized at Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery (Bourail War Cemetery) on the Bourail Memorial. Edwards on panel 3. Hoppe on panel 6.

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - SBD-5 Dauntless 36908
"36908 (MSN 5536) loaned from new to RNZAF as NZ5051; brought on charge Feb 24, 1944. (25 Sqdn) shot down by AAA and crashed into Greet Harbour at Rabaul, New Britain May 10, 1944. Both crew killed."
ADF Serials / NZ Serials - Douglas Dauntless NZ5051
CWGC - Jack Ward Edwards
CWGC - Louis Andreas Hoppee

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Last Updated
November 28, 2024

SBD

MIA
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