PACIFIC WRECK DATABASE
Wreck News & Updates - December 2004
Thank you for your
visit or support of the Pacific Wreck Database website. Feel free
to forward this message to a friend or WWII veteran who might be interested in
the site. If you no longer wish to receive this email update, see the
unsubscribe information at the end. To view an online version
of this update, go to www.pacificwrecks.com
|
--------------------------------------------------------
1. EDITORIAL - Upcoming Events
-------------------------------------------------------
Happy holidays & New Year. Welcome
to the final PacificWrecks update for 2004. This month's update
is full of exciting news stories, interviews and reporting. As
always, thank you to contributors worldwide for new, links and information.
Foremost is the recovery of one of the most intact P-47 aircraft wrecks
known in the Pacific, including all facets of this story: its recovery,
photos of the site and an interview with the former pilot, and questions
about its pilot who is still listed as an MIA. PacificWrecks needs you! Due
to overwhelming usage of the site, (averaging 2,500 unique visitors daily!)
We need your support! Consider making a donation
to the this non-profit project, for additional server space and
keep this free resource growing.
Yours in history,
Justin Taylan
email
- justin@wanpela.com
PacifcWrecks.com | PacificGhosts.com
-------------------------------------------------------
2. WRECKS & RELICS
--------------------------------------------------------
Remarkable P-47 Recovered, Pilot Still Listed
as MIA
The most intact Thunderbolt wreck known in the world was recovered in
early October by an American businessman and Australian salvager. Only
problem: the pilot is still listed as Missing In Action.
P-47D 42-22687
History of the Thunderbolt. It flew with the 49th FG, before
being transfered to training role. Flown by J.W. Harris and lost
while being flown by Marion C. Lutes, from the 312th BG, who went MIA
on this flight. First discovered in 1979 in remarkable condition,
the wreck remained where the war left it until this October 2004 when
it was recovered to Australia.
Recovery of Lutes' P-47
Interview with Robert Greinert, the man responsible for the recovery of
this P-47 this October. Although he rarely
does interviews related to his aircraft recovery work, Greinert has been
involved with airplane wrecks in Australia, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea
and acquiring in other countries. Learn about his side of the
story, why the wreck was selected for salvage, how he feels about its
MIA pilot, and what will happen to this aircraft in the future.
Visiting
to the Lutes Wreck
New Guinea resident and wreck explorer, Richard Leahy
had the distinction of logging the most visits to this wreck site. He
shares his recollections about each visit, and the background about
this crash site, and his feelings about its recovery. Also, he
shares his remarkable photo
collection of the Lutes wreck including its pristine markings, nose
art and cockpit fittings. This is arguably one of the most amazing
Pacific Wrecks, and these are the last photos of the wreck in situ
Interview
with Former Pilot, John Harris
This Thunderbolt's first pilot, J.W. Harris of the 49th joins the discussion
with an interview about his wartime service, and feelings about the recovery.
DOG
TAG RETURNED
An
amazing story! Discovered by Henry
Mayer at a former
wartime airfield in Port Moresby, the tag appeared on PacificWrecks
and was returned to the living veteran, Gurden Barnett. What
a Christmas Present! Learn about Barnett's wartime history, and
the remarkable tale of this metal tag, now returned.
--------------------------------------------------------
3. INTERVIEWS
-------------------------------------------------------
Phil
Bradley - Author of "On Shaggy Ridge"
Long time collaborator to Pacific Wrecks, Phil Bradley is now an author, with
his critically acclaimed book, "On Shaggy Ridge" published this year,
about the Australian Army battle in New Guinea for this pivotal terrain feature.
He shares his experiences writing, researching and traveling to this historic
but forgotten battlefield. Also, spectacular 'then & now' photography
of the features of the battlefield.
-------------------------------------------------------
4. VETERAN INTEVIEWS
--------------------------------------------------------
Major Martin M. Friedman
Rifle company commander company
I 155th infantry
regiment. Served in Western New Guinea and the Philippines. He
shares his memories about the forgotten fighting in Western New Guinea,
Philippines and photos from his personal collection.
-------------------------------------------------------
5. HISTORY
--------------------------------------------------------
The
Costal Gun Batteries of Port Moresby
by John Douglas. Most
people who dwell in Port Moresby are only vaguely aware of the concrete
structures to be found on Paga Point. They are the remains of a coastal
gun emplacement built in the desperate early years of WWII; when
all threats off danger seemed magnified and urgent, defensive measures
were called for.
-------------------------------------------------------
6. REVIEWS - Pacific WWII Related
Books
--------------------------------------------------------
View all WWII
Pacific Book, Magazine and Video Reviews a comprehensive source
for all the best Pacific related references and reading. Have a book
related to WWII Pacific to recommend? Write
a review and add it to the archive. This month's update focuses
on new DVDs and multimedia releases.
On
Shaggy Ridge
by Phil Bradley. Tells the story
of one of the most remarkable campaigns in Australian military history.
This latest volume in The Australian Army History series details the
dramatic but little known story of the 1943-44 Ramu Valley campaign
in New Guinea. Drawing on extensive records that are brought to life
by the vivid recollections of over 140 veterans, and illuminated by
the author’s own journeys
to the region.
Corsair Versus Zero (DVD)
Tired of seeing those same sequences of air combat repeated in nearly
every television documentary? Here is the answer: Rare Aviation's Corsair
Versus Zero DVD. This release shows spectacular COLOR gun camera footage
from F4U Corsairs in the Pacific. For anyone interested in dogfights
and air combat, this release is not to be missed!
What Pacific WWII Books Are You Reading? Submit your review of Pacific WWII related books, videos or other publications. anything, new or an old from your bookshelf. All reviews are credited.
-------------------------------------------------------
7. Pacific
WWII - Links of the Month
--------------------------------------------------------
Great links related to WWII Pacific, submitted by users
of the Pacific Wreck Database
site. Do you know of a good Pacific related website? Email
the URL for inclusion
in our comprehensive list of links!
Charles
Lindbergh in WWII |
348th Fighter Group 5th AF fighter unit that served in New Guinea, Philippines and Japan |
| Seeman Edward Sheean Thanks to Daniel Leahy for this link. |
Saipan WWII Site Photos Excellent website by Teith Tarrier |
| Christmas
Island & Canton Island Thanks to veteran Ken Barber for these links |
Kwajalein Lagoon Wrecks Great site by David Fortin |
| Kokoda Memorial Vandalised ABC news story via Daniel Leahy |
USATC in Australia Link by Peter Dunn |
| Beached Japanese Ships Thanks to Peter Flahavin for this link |
PT-109 Torpedo Photo From Ballard Expedition |
| George Silk, New Guinea Photographer & LIFE Mag Died at age 87, thanks to Phil Bradley for this link. |
Underwater art of Randal Scott Fine art paintings and photos of airplane wrecks |
| Gabe Pressman Returns to Leyte Gulf WNBC reporter's journey to the Philippines |
Sunken Navy Seaplane found off Hawaii 1950 crash discovered |
| Mexican
Air Force | 58th Fighter Group Thanks to Bruce Fenstermaker for this link |
60th Annniversary Saipan & Tinian Board Thanks to Bruce Petty for this link |
# # # End of Wreck
News December 23, 2004 # # #
This is an independent & unsponsored
site, that grows with audience participation.
Donations,
Submissions and New Information help the site to grow.
--------------------------------------------------------
UNSUBSCRIBE to Wreck News email
list, forward this email to
justin@wanpela.com and
type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
SUBSCRIBE to the Wreck News email list, send an email
to
justin@wanpela.com and
type SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
--
Pacific Wreck Database
www.pacificwrecks.com
Pacific Wreck Database, P.O. Box 859, Hyde Park, NY 12538 USA