PACIFIC WRECK DATABASE
Wreck News & Updates - March 2005
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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
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1. EDITORIAL
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This
past month, a memorial service was held at the wreck of a USMC PBJ (B-25
used by Marines) on Ponape Island. This
loss, one of thousands of American planes that crashed in the Pacific
represents a special event, where its loss was commemorated by both the
governments of the Federated States of Micronesia and United States,
held at the crash site. This story acknowledges how the few remaining
wrecks from WWII are more than metal wreckage... they are our history...
and graves of those who served.
This
month's update is full of other fascinating stories contributions by
long-time collaborators to the site. Favorite
John Douglas tells his amazing story about the research into the "Nelson
Flack Incident" when three planes crashed in the same area. Also,
an interview with the only living participant, Eugene Salternik who I
interviewed. Learn about what an 'ordinary' day
is like on Guadalcanal from John Innes, and about the small but significant
role Tonga played in Pacific WWII history. And, Stan Gajda's visit
to a tragic P-40 crash site.
This
site is a non-profit historical project. If you enjoy this newsletter
please contribute information,
or make a donation
online with paypal
Yours in history,
Justin Taylan
email
- justin@wanpela.com
PacifcWrecks.com | PacificGhosts.com
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2. EVENT - 'The Swamp Ghost' DVD
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Justin
Taylan Speaks At The B-17 Combat Crew Association
Sunday, March 13th @ 1pm For those in the southern
California area, please join me at the Long Beach airport's conference
center for a (free) lecture on on early Pacific B-17 operations,
and a special pre-release screening of the new "Swamp
Ghost" DVD, telling the
story of B-17E 41-2446 - lost on America's first bombing mission in the south
Pacific, and the last fully intact WWII wreck in known in the world. There
will be a brief lecture and Q&A. I look
forward to meeting more of you in person.
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3. WRECKS
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The Nelson Flack Incident
by John Douglas The amazing story of escape and survival
of a P-40 pilot, Nelson Flack who was shot down behind enemy lines, and
the brave efforts of several L-5 pilots to rescue him, and an Australian
commando who walked back to friendly lines. Douglas rediscovered
the location of the P-40 and the two L-5s, and unlocked this amazing
story!
Memorial
Service at USMC PBJ Crash Site
On the 60th anniversary of its crash on February 6, 1945 a group gathered at
the crash site of Marine Corps PBJ
35275 on Ponape Island. Like every loss, this wreck has an incredible
story. Nicknamed"Love Bug" it had two aircrews, each piloted by one
of the two Love brothers: William and Robert Love. On February 6, 1945
William and his crew never returned.
P-40
"Tarheel" 41-5509
by Stan
Gajda contributes photos from his 1982 visit to "Tarheel" a
tragic P-40 crash site in Northern Territory, Australia. Victim of
a training accident and mid-air collision piloted by George Preddy.
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4. VETERAN INTEVIEWS
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Eugene
Salternik
25th
Liaison Squadron L-5 Pilot
The only surviving veteran of the "Flack Incident", Salternik
tells his side of the story, and reactions to Douglas' discovery
of his old L-5! Also, about his role in other campaigns in the
Pacific. Although
fighter pilots got all the glory, it was men like Salternik that
preformed an equally important role in the air, and a variety
of missions including rescue, observation, resupply and more.
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5. THEN & NOW
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The
United States Invasion of Tonga In 1942
by
Tom
McLeod. Amazing historical research piece about the minor,
but important role of the tiny Kingdom of Tonga during World War
II. Commissioned by the King of Tonga during the 50th Anniversary,
it is presented on the internet for the first time, including then
& now photos and wartime documents. Tom
McLeod is an author and founder of the Museum
of the Pacific in Texas.
Morning on Guadalcanal
by John
Innes It is 5.45 in the morning, the traces of dawn
starts, and the morning chorus of bird noises wakes me. As I walk along
a jungle trail you start to imagine the dawns taking place in 1942. At
this very time in this very place the combatants of those days would also
be welcoming the dawn...
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6. REVIEWS - Pacific WWII Related
Books
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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.
U-Boat
Far From Home
Review by Daniel Leahy. It is a relatively well known fact that a handful of
German navy vessels operated in the Indian Ocean during the pre-Pacific days
of World War Two. Having been introduced to Second World War history with an
interest in German European operations, this book helped bring my attentions
to the Pacific theatre of the WWII.
PBM
Rescue Squadron VH-3 In WWII
This book is a detailed account of US Navy Rescue Squadron VH-3, that
flew the PBM Mariner Flying
Boat in the Pacific. The book explores both the history of
the unit and the PBM they flew. The book tells amazing stories of
survival of how the flying boat was able to land in the roughest of
seas and survive miraculous incidents.
Buffie's
Best P-38 Lightning
This two disc set is jam-packed with information, interviews and data related
to the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, and several restorations worldwide including
the Classic Jet Museum's by Bob Jarrett.
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7. Pacific
WWII - Links of the Month
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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!
# # # End of Wreck
News March 7, 2005 # # #
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Submissions and New Information help the site to grow
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