Pacific Wrecks 2019 Daily Updates
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• 6-15  June 15, 1944: U. S. forces land on Saipan Island / The Far East Air Force (FEAF) is formed joinis 5th Air Force and 13th Air Force.
• 6-14  June 14, 1944: Lost is B-24J 42-73197 piloted by 1st Lt. Joseph D. Mettes on a mission against Yap and went Missing In Action (MIA)
• 6-13  June 13, 1944: During a flight C-47A “Polly” 42-23856 suffers a midair collision over Dumpu but sustained no injuries and landed safely
• 6-12  June 12, 1944: Drones in the Pacific Special Task Air Group 1 (STAG-1) arrives at Banika Field testing the TDR-1 Drone
• 6-11  June 11, 1944: Lost is B-25D “Pannell Job” 41-30024 pilot 1st Lt. Ray Pannell on a training flight west of Nadzab
• 6-10  June 10, 1944: Force landed is P-38H Lighting 42-66841 piloted by Lt. Clarence E. Wolgemuth force lands at Faita Airfield
• 6-9  June 9, 1944: Ditched returning from a mission is B-24J 42-100180 pilot Captain John N. Barley ditched into Sissano Lagoon
• 6-8  June 8, 1944: During the Battle of Battle of Cape Waios sunk is Destroyer Harusame and three attacking B-25s
• 6-7  June 7, 1944: Lost is P-40N pilot 1st Lt. Joseph W. Todd suffered an engine failure and crashed at Tadji Airfield
• 6-6  June 6, 1944: D-Day landings begin in Normandy, France. Two Bettys bomb Wakde Airfield and cause extensive damage
• 6-5  June 5, 1944: Lost is P-38J 42-104359 pilot 1st Lt. William L. Hasty and P-38J 43-28570 pilot by Major Peyton S. Mathis, Jr.
• 6-4  June 4, 1944: A-20s bomb Manokwari town shipping on the eastern end of the Vogelkop Peninsula in Western New Guinea
• 6-3  June 3, 1944: Lost is P-38J 43-28516 pilot Lt. Col David A. Campbell on a mission over Babo
• 6-2  June 2, 1944: Thirty plus P-39s attack Buka Airfeild and hit supplies in the Kara-Kahili area
• 6-1  June 1, 1944: mid air collision Boomerang A46-44 and Boomerang A46-14 over Mildura
• June 2019
• 5-31  May 31, 1944: Lost is Avenger NZ2521 pilot Sergeant William Alan Trolove hit by anti-aircraft fire over Talili Bay.
• 5-30  May 30, 1944: Lost is SBD-5 Dauntless 54217 pilot 2nd Lt. Howard J. Schroeder on a mission over Kavieng
• 5-29  May 29, 1944: B-25s, P-38s, P-39s and USN aircraft pound Rabaul with Army planes concentrate on the Nordup supply area
• 5-28  May 28, 1944: Lost is Avenger NZ2530 pilot Flight Lt Melvin R. Greenslade hit by anti-aircraft fire over Vunakanau Airfield
• 5-27  May 27, 1944: Memorial Day: Remembering and honoring people who have died while serving in the U. S. Armed Forces / Landing Biak
• 5-26  May 26, 1944: Lost is B-25G Mitchell 42-64954 piloted by 1st Lt. Henry M. Phillips two missing, four rescued
• 5-25  May 25, 1944: mid air collision Vengeance A27-49 and Vengeance A27-92 on a ferry flight crash Mount Disappointment.
• 5-24  May 24, 1944: 7th Air Force B-25s fly bombing shuttle mission from Abemama then striking Jaluit and Maloelap and land at Majuro
• 5-23  May 23, 1944: Third Wake Raid USN Carrier Task Group 58.6 (TG 58.6) attack Wake Island
• 5-22  May 22, 1944: Lost is F-7A "Under Exposed!" 42-73052 pilot 1st Lt Loren G. Barstow crashed Mount Wilhelm
• 5-21  May 21, 1944: At 3:00pm an explosion in West Loch in Pearl Harbor results in six LSTs sunk and several other ships damaged
• 5-20  May 20, 1944: Lost is Beaufort A9-571 pilot McLaren ditched May 20, 1944 with the sole survivor rescued by PT-Boats
• 5-19  May 19, 1944: Third Raid on Marcus USN carrier aircraft under the command of Rear Admiral A. E. Montgomery hit Marcus Island
• 5-18  May 18, 1944: Lost is R4D-5 Dakota 39073 with twenty-three aboard on a flight from Bougainville bound for Guadalcanal
• 5-17  May 17, 1944: Lost is SBD Dauntless 28161 pilot Captain Anderson went missing on a mission over Rabaul
• 5-16  May 16, 1944: Damaged during take off B-24D “Ready, Willing and Able” 42-41078 set on autopilot and shot down by P-38s
• 5-15  May 15, 1944: "Operation Straight Line" U. S. Army landing on Wakde Island followed by two days of intense combat
• 5-14  May 14, 1944: Lost is A-20G 42-86768 pilot Prince on an administrative flight with three missing
• 5-13  May 13, 1944: Lost is PV-1 Ventura 48934 on a night photo and bombing mission over Shimushu
• 5-12  May 12, 1944: 433d Troop Carrier Group 66th Troop Carrier Squadron operating C-47 Dakotas begins operations from Tadji Airfield
• 5-11  May 11, 1944: 190+ B-24s and B-25s bomb Wakde. Learn about Japanese operations at Wakde by Richard Dunn
• 5-10  May 10, 1944: Lost is SBD-5 Dauntless NZ5051 hit by anti-aircraft fire over Rabaul and failed to return.
• 5-9  May 9, 1944: Lost is B-25D “Slappy” 41-30165 on a night searchlight test mission and was likely blinded by the beams
• 5-8  May 8, 1944: US bombers attack targets around Geelvink Bay in Western New Guinea.
• 5-7  May 7, 1944: Force landed is P-38J "Jandina III" 42-103988 pilot Captain Jay T. Robbins at Yamai Airfield and salvaged 1999
• 5-6  May 6, 1944: Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24 Liberators bomb Woleai.
• 5-5  May 5, 1944: Lost is PBJ-1D Mitchell 35143 hit by anti-aircraft fire over Tobera Airfield and photographed moments before the crash
• 5-4  May 4, 1944: Force landings at Tadji Airfield include B-17F "Harry The Horse" 41-24548 and P-40N Kittyhawk A29-448
• 5-3  May 3, 1944: Force landed is A-20G "Big Nig" 43-9436 pilot 2nd Lt. Thomas Reading in a swamp, salvaged by RAAF during 1985
• 5-2  May 2, 1944: 140+ A-20s and fighter-bombers hit a variety of targets between Wewak to Hansa Bay
• 5-1  May 1, 1944: Lost is Boomerang A46-71 on a training flight and spun into the sea off Goodenough and remains missing
• May 2019
• 4-30  April 30,s 1944: Second Carrier Strike against Truk begins with U. S. Navy (USN) carrier aircraft from Task Force 58 (TF-58)
• 4-29  April 29, 1944: Tragic friendly fire incident off New Britain PT-347 “Zombie” and PT-346 are attacked and sunk by friendly aircraft
• 4-28  April 28, 1944: Lost is PBY-5A "Maggie" A24-49 on a mission bound for Manokwari with ten missing
• 4-27  April 27, 1944: P-40 Warhawks armed with rockets attack junks in the Yangtze River  to the south of Shasi in Hubei Province in China.
• 4-26  April 26, 1944: Australian Army captures Alexishafen without resistance and finds the destroyed cathedral, airfields and dump areas.
• 4-25  April 25, 1944: Crashed is P-40N "Come in Suckers" A29-414 piloted by pilot F/Sgt James D. Harvey at Tadji Airfield
• 4-24  April 24, 1944: Australian Army liberates Madang the Japanese withdraw leaving only a horse drawn artillery piece as rearguard
• 4-23  April 23, 1944: U. S. Army captured Hollandia catching the Japanese by surprise
• 4-22  April 22, 1944: U. S. Army “Operation Reckless” amphibious landing at Humbolt Bay and Tanamerah Bay near Hollandia
• 4-21  April 21, 1944: USN Task Force 58 under Vice Admiral M. A. Mitscher strikes targets ahead of the landings in Hollandia and Aitape
• 4-20  April 20, 1944: Lost is PBJ-1 Mitchell 35083 pilot Carlson on a night training mission crashed off the eastern side of Tutuba Island
• 4-19  April 19, 1944: B-29 Superfortress bombers arrive at Piardoba Airfield in India
• 4-18  April 18, 1944: First 7th Air Force bombing mission against the Mariana Islands when B-24 Liberators from Eniwetok bomb Saipan
• 4-17  April 17, 1944: Lost is SBD “Prune’s Progress” NZ5050 pilot PO Geoffrey H. Cray MIA over Lakunai Airfield
• 4-16  April 16, 1944: The “Black Sunday Mission” was the largest operational loss by the U. S. Army Air Force in New Guinea
• 4-15  April 15, 1944: Lost is OA-10 Catalina piloted by 2nd Maurice C. Matson crashed while attempting to rescue an air crew
  
• 4-14  April 14, 1944: Twenty P-40 Warhawks strafe a camp area at Manywet of Kachin State in Burma (Myanmar)
• 4-13  April 13, 1944: 80+ B-24s and A-20s from the 5th Air Force pound Dagua Airfield and But Airfield in New Guinea.
• 4-12  April 12, 1944: Lost is B-24D "Yankee Doodle Dandy" 42-40077 lost to anti-aircraft fire and fighters over Hollandia
  
• 4-11  April 11, 1944: Lost is P-47D "Fascinatin' Phil" 42-75291 pilot Rothman one of four Thunderbolts shot down by fighters
• 4-10  April 10, 1944: Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) approve “Operation Matterhorn” using B-29s to bomb Japan staging through Chengtu Airfield
• 4-9  April 9, 1944: Lost is B-24J “Super Mouse” 42-73338 shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Hansa Bay
• 4-8  April 8, 1944: B-24s from the 14th Air Force bomb railroad yards at Hanoi in Indochina (Vietnam)
• 4-7  April 7, 1944: Not every mission was successful eight B-24s abort bombing a convoy southeast of Matsuwa Island in the Kurile Islands
• 4-6  April 6, 1944: Lost is Beaufighter A19-156 on a mission against Semau Island crew rescued by Catalina
• 4-5  April 5, 1944: Lost is A-20G Havoc 43-9469 is returning from Hollandia, in 1967 crash site found by Australian patrol officer (kiap)
• 4-4  April 4, 1944: Lost is B-24J Liberator 42-100216 returning from a mission against Truk
• 4-3  April 3, 1944: USAAF and US Navy fighters strafe the Numa Numa Trail on Bougainville
• 4-2  April 2, 1944: Lost is P-70A Havoc 42-33143 crashed dropping supplies over Bogia
• 4-1  April 1, 1944: Lost is SB-24D "Sergeant Stripes... Forever!" 42-63805 crashed on Rendova Island
• March 2019
• 3-31  March 31, 1944: When the Japanese withdrew from Mussau Island they abandoned Korea and Chinese "comfort women”.
• 3-30  March 30, 1944: Lost is F6F Hellcat 40653 pilot Lt(jg) James W. Syme on a mission over Peleliu
• 3-29  March 29, 1944: Lost is SB2C Helldiver 18454 pilot Lt(jg) Garl W. Hardin on a strike against Palau
• 3-28  March 28, 1944: In the Indian Ocean, U-532 torpedes MV Tulagi only seven of the crew survive after 58 days at sea
• 3-27  March 27, 1944: RAAF Kittyhawks and Beaufighter accidentally sink PT-121 and PT-353 off New Britain.
• 3-26  March 26, 1944: Lost is A-20G Havoc 43-9118 piloted by Captain Glen O. Richardson ditched off Yakamul
• 3-25  March 25, 1944: Lost is SNJ Texan 7008 on a training flight and crashed into the sea off Espiritu Santo
• 3-24  March 24, 1944: Lost is B-17E "Tojo's Nightmare" 41-2497 crashed at the edge of Horn Island
• 3-23  March 23, 1944: Colgate University professor Harold Whitnail proposes bombing Japan's volcanoes to trigger an eruption
• 3-22  March 22, 1944: Lost is B-24D "Weezie" 42-41081 pilot 2nd Lt Robert E. Allred crashed March 22, 1944 into Mount Thumb
• 3-21  March 21, 1944: Accidential collision between PV-1 Ventura 29870 and PV-1 Ventura 33079 in the Solomons both crash into the sea
• 3-20  March 20, 1944: USMC 4th Marines, 1st and 2nd Battalions with 3rd Battalion in land on Emirau Island
• 3-19  March 19, 1944: Lost is B-24D "The Big Ass Bird II" 42-72801 with six Australian Army “Z” Force aboard
• 3-18  March 18, 1944: Lost is A-20G 43-9626 piloted by 2nd Lt. Albert Jesser and crashed into Fairfax Harbor near Motukea Island
• 3-17  March 17, 1944: Lost is B-25H 43-4229 pilot 1st Lt. Arthur C. Sanders, Jr. shot down attacking Shweli Bridge in Burma
• 3-16  March 16, 1944: B-24s, B-25s and A-20s hit AA positions, buildings and salvage dumps at Brandi
• 3-15  March 15, 1944: Lost is B-24D 42-41178 piloted by Lt. Col. James H. York  went missing on a flight bound for Cheng Tu in China
• 3-14  March 14, 1944: Lost is P-47D 42-22920 pilot 1st Lt. Gene Duncan ditched near the mouth of the Sepik River
• 3-13  March 13, 1944: Lost is A-20G "Francie II" 42-54117 pilot 2nd Lt. Carl H. Hansen crashed in the Finisterre Range
• 3-12  March 12, 1944: Lost is A-20G Havoc 42-86625 pilot 2nd Lt. Vernal J. Bird crashed after a mission against Wewak
• 3-11  March 11, 1944: Lost is B-24D "Heaven Can Wait" 42-41216 pilot 1st Lt Herbert G. Tennyson over Hansa Bay
• 3-10  March 10, 1944: Lost is B-25D "Buzzin' Buzzard" 41-30632 pilot 2nd Lt Monroe G. Adelman on a training mission
• 3-9  March 9, 1944: Lost is PB4Y-1 "The Schooner" 32069 pilot Lt(jg) Anton E. Anderson over Kapingamarangi (Greenwich)
• 3-8  March 8, 1944: Lost is P-38J 42-103987 pilot Lt. Col. Thomas J. Lynch on a sweep over Aitape
• 3-7  March 7, 1944: Sunk is PT-337 into Hansa Bay surviving crew rescued by PBY Catalina
• 3-6  March 6, 1944: Lost is P-39Q 42-19939 pilot 1st Lt. Maryan J. Zaleski near Horanda Airfield
• 3-5  March 5, 1944: Second day of the Talili Bay Massacre (Tunnel Hill Massacre) when a group of Allied prisoners are executed
• 3-4  March 4, 1944: First day of the Talili Bay Massacre (Tunnel Hill Massacre) when a group of Allied prisoners are executed
• 3-3  March 3, 1944: Lost is F-5B Lightning 42-67363 pilot 2nd Lt. Edwin A. Christian on a photo reconnaissance mission
• 3-2  March 2, 1944: U. S. Army 1st Cavalry Division occupied Momote Airfield on Los Negros Island
• 3-1  March 1, 1944: Lost is B-24D “Pregnant Polecat” 42-40877 pilot 2nd Lt. George A. Singletary lost over the Florida Islands.
• March 2019
• 2-29  February 29, 1944: Lost is Liberator "Daring Diana" BZ962 pilot F/Sgt Allan E. Arnold over Rangoon
  
• 2-28  February 28, 1944: Lost is B-24D "Milk Run/Hit Parader" 42-41087 pilot 1st Lt. Robert J. Tilden last seen on take off
• 2-27  February 27, 1944: Lost is Vengeance A27-83 pilot F/O Kenneth H. Pike crew photographed and later rescued
• 2-26  February 26, 1944: Two strikes against Vunapope (Wunapope) in East New Britain Province
• 2-25  February 25, 1944: Bomber versus bomber: Ki-21 Sally shot down by B-25D “Mitch The Witch” 42-87293 over Bismarck Sea
• 2-24  February 24, 1944: Lost is Vengeance A27-276 pilot F/Sgt Frank G. McDonald and Vengeance A27-275 pilot Noel G. Burnell
• 2-23  February 23, 1944: Four B-25s attack two ships in the Gulf of Tonkin in French Indochina (Vietnam)
• 2-22  February 22, 1944: U. S. Marines have secured Enewetak Atoll (Eniwetok) in the Marshall Islands
• 2-21  February 21, 1944: The "Flack Incident" continues with the loss of L-5 "Termite" 42-98085 pilot SSgt James D. Nichols
• 2-20  February 20, 1944: P-40s strafe and bomb runways at Mille Airfield and small vessels off Mille.
• 2-19  February 19, 1944: Lost is C-47A Dakota 42-24398 pilot Bishop crashed in the vicinity of Cape Ward Hunt.
• 2-18  February 18, 1944: "Operation Hailstone" second day of USN carrier aircraft strikes sunk is San Francisco Maru
• 2-17  February 17, 1944: "Operation Hailstone" first day of USN carrier aircraft strikes against Truk Lagoon sinking ships
• 2-16  February 16, 1944: 345th BG B-25s attack a convoy off New Hanover and sink HA-52 Type B Midget Submarine
• 2-15  February 15, 1944: The Kavieng Raid and daring rescue by Lt(jg) Nathan Gordon of three air crews earned Medal of Honor
• 2-14  February 14, 1944: Six Avengers lost dropping aerial mines over Simpson Harbor off Rabaul including TBF Avenger 24264 (MIA)
• 2-13  February 13, 1944: Lost is P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3165 pilot Treweek aerial collision wreckage found 1955 and remains recovered
• 2-12  February 12, 1944: Lost is B-24D "The Wicked Wench" 42-72818 pilot Carter shot down by anti-aircraft near Rabaul
• 2-11  February 11, 1944: Lost is F4U Corsair 55908 pilot 1st Lt. Allan S. Harrison wreckage known but remains missing
• 2-10  February 10, 1944: Lost is F4U Corsair 02566 pilot 2nd Lt. Jack G. Morris who was rescued and reunited with his aircraft
• 2-9  February 9, 1944: 7th Air Force A-24 dive bombers bomb and strafe oil storage and gun positions on Jaluit.
• 2-8  February 8, 1944: P-39 Airacobras attack targets on Bougainville and New Guinea.
• 2-7  February 7, 1944: Lost is L-4A Grasshopper 43-29071 pilot Piotrowski observer Kindig inland from Saidor
• 2-6  February 6, 1944: Lost is B-25D "Sticky Kitty" 42-87286 pilot Brown crashed Bunabun Harbor off New Guinea
• 2-5  February 5, 1944: Two RNZAF Kittyhawks are lost returning from Rabaul: P-40N NZ3120 (MIA) and P-40N NZ3126 (MIA)
• 2-4  February 4, 1944: Lost is A-20G Havoc 43-9122 pilot Rimer crashed off southern New Guinea
• 2-3  February 3, 1944: Lost is F4U Corsair 56039 piloted by 1st Lt Robert M. Hanson third highest scoring USMC ace
• 2-2  February 2, 1944: Lost is C-47A "Shack Trooper" 42-23487 pilot Donovan MIA between Townsville and New Guinea
• 2-1  February 1, 1944: Crashed is F6F-3 Hellcat Bureau Number 40121 pilot Ensign John R. Clem
• February 2019
• 1-31  January 31, 1944: U. S. forces land in Kwajalein Atoll and immediately begin developing the area into a base
• 1-30  January 30, 1944: Lost is B-25D "Arkansas Traveler" 41-30594 shot down into Hansa Bay
• 1-29  January 29, 1944: Ground looped is B-17E "Yankee Diddl'er Wouldn't It Root Ya" 41-2458
• 1-28  January 28, 1944: Lost is B-25G Mitchell 42-64881 piloted by 1st Lt. Donald T. Renshaw
• 1-27  January 27, 1944: Two Kittyhawks collide over Jomba Island P-40N "Ishkabibble" A29-530 and P-40N A29-523 both pilots lost
• 1-26  January 26, 1944: "last seen going into its dive" SBD Dauntless 36231 piloted by Coonley is and remains listed as MIA
• 1-25  January 25, 1944: USMC operational loss of twenty-two F4U Corsairs from VMF-422 ditch or go missing on a ferry flight
• 1-24  January 24, 1944: Ditched is F4U Corsair 02285 piloted by Major Robert G. Owens who is rescued by PBY Catalina
• 1-23  January 23, 1944: Lost is P-40N pilot 1st Lt. John F. Crowley (MIA) likely the wreckage is known
• 1-22  January 22, 1944: Two Corsairs from VMF-321 “Hell’s Angels” arelost FG 14212 rescued and FG 13270 MIA
• 1-21  January 21, 1944: Lost after take off B-24J 'Miss Bee Haven' 42-72982 and B-24J "Galloping Gus" 42-72999 crashed Tarawa Lagoon
• 1-20  January 20, 1944: For the past week U. S. forces unsucessfully search for P-39Q Airacobra 42-19949 pilot 2nd Lt. Thomas H. Roberts
• 1-19  January 19, 1944: Two A-20s force landed on the beach on Morington Island A-20G 42-86620 and A-20G 42-86724
• 1-18  January 18, 1944: P-38H Lightning 42-66534 pilot 2nd Lt. John R. Weldon, Jr. force landed Missing In Action (MIA)
• 1-17  January 17, 1944: P-38H Lightning 42-66897 pilot Hart crashed January 17, 1944 pilot rescued 7 days later
• 1-16  January 16, 1944: 5th Fighter Command sets a record for aerial victories claimed by a single squadron in a single engagement
• 1-15  January 15, 1944: 5th Air Force B-24 Liberators and B-25 Mitchells bomb Ulingan on the north coast of New Guinea
• 1-14  January 14, 1944: SBD Dauntless 35971 pilot Ramsey crashed northeast of Rabaul, gunner Sgt Charles J. Sciara POW
• 1-13  January 13, 1944: F4U-1A Corsair Bureau Number 18045 pilot Captain Adolph Raines Vetter Missing In Action (MIA).
• 1-12  January 12, 1944: Spitfire Mark Vc "Tasmanian Devil" A58-178 pilot Grinlington damaged on landing
• 1-11  January 11, 1944: F4U-1 Corsair 17430 pilot Larson did not join up with the formation Missing In Action (MIA).
• 1-10  January 10, 1944: SBD-4 Dauntless 06738 pilot Collins ditched and rescued.
• 1-9  January 9, 1944: P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3121 pilot Sladen shot down on a mission against Rabaul
• 1-8  January 8, 1944: Bogadjim Road (Bogadjim-Yaula Road) in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG)
• 1-7  January 7, 1944: P-38H Lightning 42-66865 pilot Jennings MIA January 7, 1944
• 1-6  January 6, 1944: 312th Bombardment Group operates from Gusap Airfield
• 1-5  January 5, 1944: PBY-5 Catalina 08377 pilot Lt(jg) Kenneth L. Marlin sinks due to damage from swells crew rescued by PT Boat
• 1-4  January 4, 1944: 421st Night Fighter Squadron (421st NFS) arrives in New Guinea.
• 1-3  January 3, 1944: Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington piloting F4U Corsair 17915 ditched off Rabaul became a Prisoner Of War (POW)
• 1-2  January 2, 1944: "Operation Michaelmas" U. S. Army landing at Saidor on the north coast of New Guinea
• 1-1  January 1, 1944: Happy new year! Thank you supporters Pacific Wrecks Facebook fundraiser
• January 2019
  

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