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Wreck News & Information - February 25, 2003
EDITORIAL
Justin
Taylan - February Update
Daniel Leahy - PWD Forum Update
Shaharom Ahmad - Malaysian Wreck Stolen
VETERANS
Jack Morris - USMC F4U Pilot
INTERVIEWS
Barrett Tillman - WWII Pacific Author
VISITS
John Douglas - Papuan Wreck Diary
Dick Odgers - Cold Bay, Alaska Digging Up Aircraft
Tony Feredo - Caballo Island's Gun Batteries
Don Fetterly - Tufi & Morobe PT-Boat Base
REVIEWS
Reviews - Four New Book Reviews
Links - WWII Pacific websites
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1. EDITORIAL
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Welcome to the February Update
Welcome
to the PWD email update. Thanks to new and old collaborators from around the
world, for excellent reports about WWII Pacific locations today - from Alaska,
New Guinea, the Philippines and beyond. For magazine readers, look for an
article in the April 2003 Issue of "Flight Journal" about Pacific
Wrecks and Pacific Ghosts - http://www.pacificghosts.com
We are very excited about this press, and the honor of being named the #1
Aviation Travel Adventures. For more information on the issue, visit: http://www.flightjournal.com/store/viewissue.asp?issueid=F0304
Our dream of a website that keeps the history of WWII Pacific, the legacy of its veterans, MIA Cases, relics and history continues to grow. Thank you for all those who have supported the Pacific Wrecks and Pacific Ghosts projects with your visits to the websites, and those who we have met in person, or emailed and associated with. And, for all the new friends we continue to meet. We hope that other new developments are forthcoming in terms of research, developments and more. This is an independent & unsponsored site, that grows with audience participation. Donations, Submissions and New Information help the site to grow http://www.pacificwrecks.com/help/
Enjoy,
- Justin Taylan
email - justin@wanpela.com
Pacific
Wreck Database Discussion Forum
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/forum/
Daniel Leahy, Moderator. This month the Pacific Wreck Database forum turns
two months old. In this time, over 100 members have joined, and over 250 messages
have been posted. Recent discussions have been about Australian aircraft boneyards
and scrapping activities, NEIAF wrecks located in Australia and USAAF General
Kenneth Walker. There has also been an increased interest in the 'Seeking
Information' (MIA, KIA, Veterans etc) section. Thanks to all those who have
supported the forum so far. For those who are not members, feel free to join
up - it's 100% FREE.
Hunting Down A Wreck Hunter
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/people/collaborators/ahmad/hunter.html
by Shaharom Ahmad, Malaya Historical Group. A Japanese aircraft wreck from
1942 was taken from Malaysia. For wreck hunters and scrap hunters, this wreck
means money to them. They don't care about history. They only care for their
profit. For a few years behind, one group from outside Malaysia was been tip
by this wreck location and they set up some reccon trip to the site. They
also give several of the local people a large of money to keep their mouth
shut and helping them to recovered the wreck. We are mad about this group.
They steal our war heritage. Help in the search to locate these people.
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2. VETERANS
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http://www.pacificwrecks.com/people/veterans/
Jack Morris, USMC F4U Pilot, Traveler & Author
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/people/veterans/morris.html
A
USMC F4U Pilot in the South Pacific. On his fourth mission, he was shot down
over Rabaul, while escorting bombers attacking Vunakanau airfield. His aircraft
was damaged by gunfire, and he was wounded in one eye. The title "One
Angel Down" refers to the altitude he regained consciousness and bailed
out (1,000 feet) and the inspiration of his girlfriend, and later wife, Rosalind
back home that kept his spirits high and allowed him to survive eight days
behind enemy lines, as he made his way out of the jungle and to the sea. His
story is one of survival and close calls with nearby Japanese. Luckily, Morris
was rescued by a RNZAF PBY "Dumbo" and returned to safety. In 1991,
he returned to Rabaul, where is was reunited with his former F4U, that had
been discovered where it crashed, and brought to the Kokopo Museum in Rabaul
for display. Morris had the unique distinction to be reunited with the very
aircraft he flew during his final mission. Also, to retrace his escape from
Rabaul and to safety.
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3. Author - Barrett Tillman
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Author Barrett Tillman has written 31 published titles, many of which are related
to WWII Pacific, and the famous tailhook aircraft like the F-4F, F4U, Avenger
and F6F. Tillman share insights about his research processes, and current
releases and upcoming projects. Also, look for a review of one of his WWII
Pacific books, Wildcat Aces of WWII reviewed below.
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4. VISITS
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Pacific Wreck Database's
exclusive reports from Pacific locations where remains of WWII still exists
to this day, from visitors and experts from around the world.
John
Douglas - Papua Wreck Diary
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/douglas/news/03/02news.html
Another great report from John Douglas from Papua New Guinea today. Learn
about his recent visit to the two islands off Wewak - Muschu and Kairiru Islands,
both occupied by the Japanese for the duration of the war, although neither
was directly invaded, there are some remains of war that exists to this day,
and wrecks in the vicinity.
Dick
Odgers - Digging Up P-38s
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/photos/current/odgers/
Ever dream of digging up a P-38 or P-40? Dick Odgers has lived that dream.
He describes the process of researching, and gaining property rights to dig
up abandoned aircraft wrecks from Cold Bay, Alaska. And, the history of the
airframes and how they were used to assist in other aircraft restorations.
Tony
Feredo - Caballo Island's Gun Batteries
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/photos/current/feredo
A new collaborator to the site, Tony lives in the Philippines. He contributes
two photos galleries of the Gun Batteries: Battery Craighill and Battery Gillespie.
These massive weapons, M1912 12-inch mortars and 14" M1910 gun on a disappearing
carriage mounting are depicted in their condition today.
Don
Fetterly - Tufi & Morobe PT-Boat Bases
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/history/ptbases/
Don Fetterly contributes photographs from his visits to two former USN PT-Boat
bases in New Guinea. Also, "Then & Now" comparison photographs
of locations during WWII and today. These two bases reveal the legacy and
history of PT-Boat operations in New Guinea during the early part of 1943.
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5. REVIEWS - Pacific Book Reviews
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http://www.pacificwrecks.com/reviews/
One Angel Left... A Memoir
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/reviews/oneangel.html
One
Angel Left is the memoir of Jack Morris, a USMC pilot. His story is details
his wartime service flying the F4U Corsair in the South Pacific, and the recovery
of a wounded pilot. Most importantly, it is a touching memoir of a veteran
who returns to location he was shot down to be reunited with the very aircraft
he bailed out of in 1944, and a reflective memoir of war, love and life.
Wildcat Aces of WWII
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/reviews/aces-f4f.html
by
Barrett Tillman. From December 1941 to June 1942 the five frontline USN fighter
units had a combined strength of only 138 aircrews and fought at Midway, Wake,
carrier strikes. With an additional 136 USMC and other pilots added during
the battle of Guadalcanal the first year of WWII Pacific was fought by 224
USN fighter pilots. It was the F-4F that they flew, fought and became aces
the air. A total of 58 pilots were made aces in the Grumman Wildcat.
RAAF
Camouflage & Markings 1939-1945
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/reviews/raafcamo.html
Review by Daniel Leahy. Both books include many black and
white photos, a handful of rare colour photos and a large number of colour
profiles. Overall these books would make an excellent addition to the collection
of any RAAF enthusiast and especially the model builder.
Queensland
Airfields WW2 - 50 Years On
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/reviews/qldairf.html
Review by Daniel Leahy. During the beginning phase of
the Pacific war, the RAAF and USAAF set up a large number of airfields in
the Australian state of Queensland. Many of these were previously civilian
airfields ‘impressed’ into military service, others were built
specifically for military purposes.
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6. Links of the Month
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Great links related to WWII Pacific, submitted by users of the Pacific Wreck Database
site:
FG-1D Corsair Restoration
http://www.bentwings.com/fg1d/fg1d.htm
Preserved Axis Aircraft
http://www.preservedaxisaircraft.com
Excellent site with listing of Japanese aircraft
AboutWW2.com - WWII Pictures of the Pacific
http://aboutww2.com/
Excellent site Jo Davidsmeyer
Naval Historical Center News
http://www.news.navy.mil/local/navhist/
thanks to Jack Green for this link
NPR PT-109 Story & Discovery
http://www.npr.org/programs/re/archivesdate/2002/jul/index.html
Hap Halloran - "Rover Boys Express"
http://www.haphalloran.com/
Alaska at War 1942
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wwii/Guard-US/ch10.htm
Alaska WWII Harbor Defenses
http://www.cdsg.org/alaska.htm
Joe McCusker's list of Air Force Bases
http://www.airforcebase.net/usaf/joeslist.html
USS San Juan CL54 Website
http://www.cl54.com/index.htm
Thanks to Red Harper for this link
20th Combat Mapping Squadron
http://pws.prserv.net/varney/20cms/
# # # End of Wreck News February 25, 2003 # # #
This is an independent & unsponsored site, that grows with audience participation. Donations, Submissions and New Information help the site to grow http://www.pacificwrecks.com/help/
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