PACIFIC  WRECK  DATABASE
Wreck News & Updates - March 2005
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THEN & NOW
The United States Invasion of Tonga by Tom McLeod
Morning on Guadalcanal by John Innes
EDITORIAL
EVENTS
Justin Taylan Speaks @ B-17 Combat Crew Assn / Long Beach, CA
WRECKS
The "Nelson Flack Incident" by John Douglas
PBJ Memorial Service 60th anniversary at crash site
Tarheel Preddy crash site by Stan Gajda
REVIEWS
Buffie's Best P-38, PBM VH-3 Rescue Squadron, Ki-49 Helen
LINKS
To WWII Pacific websites

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1. EDITORIAL
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Click For StoryThis 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.

Click For StoryThis 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.

Donate Via PaypalThis 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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Click For DetailsJustin 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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Click For StoryThe 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!

Click For StoryMemorial 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.

Click For StoryP-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
Click For Story25th 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
Click For Storyby 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.

Click For StoryMorning 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.

Read ReviewU-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.

Read ReviewPBM 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.

Read ReviewBuffie'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!

J-Aircraft.com
Best Japanese Aircraft site on the web

BentStar Project
Non-Profit of BentProp Palau
Dragons of Fire
Japanese automatic weapons by W. Easterly
Ghost Wings Magazine Issue 12
New issue of Ghost Wings is out
Maxwell AFB Exhibit on General Kenneth Walker
MIA General over Rabaul
Lockheed Ventura and Harpoon
Thanks to Bob Rocker for this link
Seawolf Production Underwater Wrecks
Thanks to Peter Flahavin for sending this link
How to scan Your WWII Photos
Excellent page with tips for scanning your collection
Listing of Wartime Artifact Displays in Japan
(Japanese Language) Thanks to Goh Loon
Alaskan WWII Airmen Found
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for this link
Miracle of Kamikaze
Thanks to Goh Loon
Kaiten Special Attack Forces
Thanks to Goh Loon
Beaufort Engine Decal
Thanks to Phil Bradley for this link
Frankel-y Speaking
Vet Diary, thanks to Stanley A Frank
22nd BG Photo Album
Thanks to Bob Rocker for this link
VMB-613 Disposal of Aircraft
Thanks to Robert Yanacek for this link


# # # End of Wreck News March 7, 2005 # # #

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