Pacific Wrecks - 2019 Daily Updates

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

Pacific Wrecks 2019 Daily Updates
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10-13 October 13, 1944: Ditched is F6F Hellcat 41715 pilot Lt(jg) Kenneth A. Flinn off Miyako Jima and photographed with his captors
10-12 October 12, 1944: Lost is SB2C-3 Helldiver 19422 pilot Commander Mark Eslick, Jr. against Kirun Harbor on Formosa
10-11 October 11, 1944: Lost is B-25D "Five Minutes To Mid-Night" 41-30525 pilot 1st Lt. Albert C. Eddy MIA over New Guinea
10-10 October 10, 1944: Damaged is FG-1A Corsair 13316 pilot Lt. James B. Sturgis force landed at Nissan Airfield (Green) plane written off
10-9 October 9, 1944: Four TDR-1 from Special Task Air Group One (STAG-1) target the causeway at Matupi Island, mission failed
10-8 October 8, 1944: While taxing in heavy rains FG-1A Corsair 56305 pilot Lt. Daigle flipped upside down at Piva North Airfield
10-7 October 7, 1944: Lost is R4D-1 39086 piloted by 1st Lt. James A. Walker crashed during heavy rains on southern Vella Lavella
10-6 October 6, 1944: Beached is Hokurei Maru after being hit by a torpedo fired by USS Cabrilla SS-288 / Hr. Ms. Zwaardvisch sinks U-168
10-5 October 5, 1944: 7th Bomb Group, 493rd Bomb Squadron return to Pandaveswar Airfield in West Bengal State in India
10-4 October 4, 1944: Damaged was F-7B “Idle Curiosity” 44-40423 due to a nose gear failure on Biak and afterwards was written off
10-3 October 3, 1944: For the second time B-24 Liberators bomb oil refineries at Balikpapan on Borneo
10-2 October 2, 1944: B-25 Mitchells attack Laha Airfield near Laha at Amboina Island
10-1 October 1, 1944: Lost is A-20G 42-86717 and A-20G "Crap Shooter" 42-54155 both crash in the Saruwaged Range
October 2019
9-30 September 30, 1944: Lost is B-24J 44-40529 pilot Wittmann on a bombing mission against Balikpapan on Borneo
9-29 September 29, 1944: Two B-24s bomb Kataoka on Shumshu Island in the Kurlie Islands (Kuril)
9-28 September 28, 1944: U. S. Marines embark aboard Amtracks from the north of Peleliu for a landing at nearby Ngesebus
9-27 September 27, 1944: First combat mission four TDR-1s from Special Task Air Group One (STAG-1) attack Hitati Maru on Bougainville
9-26 September 26, 1944: A B-24 flies weather reconnaissance; later four B-24s radar-bomb Suribachi Airfield on Paramushir Island
9-25 September 25, 1944: Lost is C-47A 42-93499 pilot 1st Lt. Leonard E. Walker on a flight between Lae Airfield and Nadzab Airfield
9-24 September 24, 1944: Lost is Beaufighter A19-208 pilot S/L Wacket crashed Pine Creek and found by Aboriginals
9-23 September 23, 1944: P-47s attack bridges in northern Burma in the Myitkyina area destroying one bridge
9-22 September 22, 1944: Lost is B-25D Mitchell A47-3 pilot F/O Allen W. Slater on a barge strafing mission over Manatuto in East Timor
9-21 September 21, 1944: P-38s and B-25s hit Namlea Airfield on Boeroe Island in the in the Moluccas Islands
9-20 September 20, 1944: B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers, strike Amahai Airfield in the Molucca Islands (Maluku)
9-19 September 19, 1944: Ditched is B-25D "Doodle Jr." 41-30164 pilot 1st Lt. Edward L. Reel off Halmahera Island
9-18 September 18, 1944: Written off after a nose wheel failure is A-20G "Je Reviens" 43-9458 nicknamed by pilot Edgar A. Hambleto
9-17 September 17, 1944: Crashed F4U Corsair 56045 pilot 1st Lt. Glenn Wilbur Rosenboom damaged by AA fire and crashed Talili Bay
9-16 September 16, 1944: Grounded is Catalina IIA "Katie" VA718 in the lagoon at Diego Garcia
9-15 September 15, 1944: 1st Marine Division amphibious landing on the southwest corner of Peleliu Island against stiff opposition
9-14 September 14, 1944: Force landed is C-47A "Hell's Bells" 42-23959 pilot 1st Lt Joe Pate force landed west of Port Moresby
9-13 September 13, 1944: F4U Corsair piloted by Charles A. Lindbergh armed with 3,000 pounds in bombs releases it over Wotje
9-12 September 12, 1944: A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers hit Moemi Airfield in western New Guinea
9-11 September 11, 1944: Force landed is B-25D "The Wolf Pack" 41-30099 force lands in a kunai grass swamp crew unhurt helped to safety
9-10 September 10, 1944: B-24 bomb Mapanget Airfield on Celebes (Sulawesi) neutralizing it with bombing raids
9-9 September 9, 1944: Force landed PV-1 Ventura NZ4522 pilot Flt-Lt Frederick N. R. Thomas force landed at Talasea Airfield.
9-8 September 8, 1944: F4U Corsair piloted by Charles A. Lindbergh armed with a single 2,000 pound bomb releases it over Wotje.
9-7 September 7, 1944: B-24 Liberators bomb Galela Airfield on Halmahera Island neutralizing the runway from bombing
9-6 September 6, 1944: Lost over Yap two Hellcats suffer an aerial collision F6F Hellcat 58675 and F6F Hellcat 58713
9-5 September 5, 1944: Nearly sixty B-24 Liberators bomb Langoan Airfield on the eastern arm of Celebes Island (Sulawesi)
9-4 September 4, 1944: During the night, B-24 Liberators bomb Kendari Airfield in the southeast of Celebes Island (Sulawesi)
9-3 September 3, 1944: Force landed is B-25H 43-4513 pilot Captain Charles R. Wolfendale at Talasea Airfield on West New Britain
9-2 September 2, 1944: Three Airacobras went MIA over southern New Guinea P-39Q 44-3569, P-39Q 42-20357 and P-39Q 42-20353
9-1 September 1, 1944: Lost is B-24J 42-73453 pilot 2nd Lt. Jack S. M. Arnett over Koror three POWs missing crash site found 2004
September 2019
8-31 August 31, 1944: Lost is B-24J 44-40831 2nd Lt. George H. Pierpont MIA over Gualin in China crash site first located in 1996
8-30 August 30, 1944: Lost is B-25C "El Aguila" 41-12515 pilot Major Brooks Rives crashed in swamp near Pol River western New Guinea
8-29 August 29, 1944: B-24s bomb Ngesebus Airfield (Ingesebus) under construction as an auxiliary runway to the north of Peleliu
8-28 August 28, 1944: Lost is B-24J 44-40603 pilot Captain William G. Dixon hit by anti-aircraft fire over Koror wreckage remains
8-27 August 27, 1944: Fighter-bombers hit Sagan Airfield in western New Guinea.
8-26 August 26, 1944: A-20s fly low level strafing and bombing missions against Japanese troop concentrations at Sarmi
8-25 August 25, 1944: Lost F-5A 42-13093 pilot Major Arthur L. Post died / P-47D 42-75883 pilot 1st Lt Joseph V. Adamow rescued
8-24 August 24, 1944: B-24 Liberators and B-25 Mitchells bomb Lolobata Airfield on Halmahera Island in the Molucca Islands
8-23 August 23, 1944: Fghter-bombers hit Urarom Airfield (Kaimana Airfield) on the southern coast of western New Guinea.
8-22 August 22, 1944: Fighter-bombers hit a Japanese barge terminal on Mushu Island a large flat island garrisoned by the Japanese Navy
8-21 August 21, 1944: B-25 Mitchells hit Kaoe Airfield and Kaoe Town on Halmahera Island
8-20 August 20, 1944: Deliberate ramming by Ki-45 Nick pilot Sgt Nobe downs B-29 "Gertrude C" 42-6368 and B-29 "Calamity Sue" 42-6334
8-19 August 19, 1944: P-47s from Saipan bomb Anatahan Island, marooned on the island are thirty Japanese including one woman
8-18 August 18, 1944: Lost is F-5E Lightning 44-23227 pilot 2nd Lt. Arthur F. Eastman on a local flight crash site located 1950
8-17 August 17, 1944: B-25 Mitchells strafe installations at Dili on the north coast of Timor Island today East Timor
8-16 August 16, 1944: B-24s and B-25s bomb warehouses and shipping on Ternate the prewar seat of the Dutch colonial government
8-15 August 15, 1944: Lost is B-25D 43-3383 pilot 1st Lt. Eugene Nirdlinger crashed into a hillside near Dodinga on Halmahera
8-14 August 14, 1944: B-24s bomb Babo Airfield in western New Guinea
8-13 August 13, 1944: Lost is P-39Q Airacobra 42-19933 pilot 2nd Lt. Richard L. Starkey MIA August 13, 1944 off Mission Point
8-12 August 12, 1944: FEAF P-47s support ground operations by bombing Dore near Sansapor in western New Guinea
8-11 August 11, 1944: On the move 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (8th PRS) transfers from Nadzab to Biak
8-10 August 10, 1944: 7th Air Force B-24 flying their first bombing mission from Saipan against Iwo Jima begins neutralizing the island
8-9 August 9, 1944: Lost is B-24J Liberator 42-73268 pilot Captain James D. Robertson on a mission against Yap
8-8 August 8, 1944: On Guam effective Japanese resistance ends as U. S. forces reach the northern tip of the island
8-7 August 7, 1944: 14th Air Force P-40 Warhawks hit Hengyang in Hunan Province in China hitting trucks, troops, and guns
8-6 August 6, 1944: Lost is P-47D Thunderbolt 42-22659 pilot 2nd Lt. Gene M. Smith on a training flight bound went missing
8-5 August 5, 1944: Lost is B-24J "Blondes Away" 42-110006 pilot 1st Lt. Edward C. Pedersen exploded and crashed into Boela Bay
8-4 August 4, 1944: Lost is P-38J "Cillie" 42-104161 pilot Captain William S. O'Brien when it collided with an enemy fighter
8-3 August 3, 1944: B-25 Mitchells hit troop concentrations on MacCluer Gulf in Dutch New Guinea
8-2 August 2, 1944: B-24 Liberators and B-25 Mitchells carry out wide sweeps over the Molucca Islands, hitting Liang Airfield on Ambon
8-1 August 1, 1944: Declared secure is Tinian at the cost of 328 Marines killed and 1,571 wounded. The Japanese lost roughly 5,000 dead
August 2019
7-31 July 31, 1944: In China, twelve 14th Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb the Wuchang railroad yards in Hubei Province of central China.
7-30 July 30, 1944: TDR-1 Assault Drone tests by STAG-1 against Yamazuki Maru watch color 35mm test footage
7-29 July 29, 1944: B-24 Liberators bomb Boela Airfield on the northeast coast of Ceram (Seram) in the Moluccas Islands
7-28 July 28, 1944: Ditched is P-38J "Decatur Illinois" 42-104358 same mission Charles Lindbergh shot down Ki-51 pilot Captain Shimada
7-27 July 27, 1944: Lost is TBM Avenger 45810 pilot Lt. Ronald R. Houle on a bombing mission against Malakal in Palau
7-26 July 26, 1944: Lost is C-87 Liberator Express 41-11706 pilot Hugh W. Prince and crashed on Florida Island killing everyone aboard
7-25 July 25, 1944: Lost is F6F Hellcat 41881 pilot Lt. William Querine Punnell on a fighter sweep over Babelthuap and went missing
7-24 July 24, 1944: U. S. Marines 4th Division makes an amphibious landing on Tinian initially the Japanese were taken by surprise
7-23 July 23, 1944: Lost is R4D-5 Dakota 39090 on a flight from Cairns with sixteen crew and passengers aboard and went missing
7-22 July 22, 1944: Loss of A-20G "Bevo" 43-9432 pilot Knar off Kokas captured in a series of photos published as "Death of An A-20"
7-21 July 21, 1944: U. S. Marines 3rd Amphibious Corps and U. S. Army 77th Division make an amphibious landing on Guam
7-20 July 20, 1944: Lost is Ki-46 Dinah 1056 shot down over Western Australia last Japanese plane lost over Australia
7-19 July 19, 1944: Lost is B-24D "Golden Lady" 42-40814 pilot 1st Lt Robert W. Tosch MIA with 13 aboard
7-18 July 18, 1944: 7th Air Force P-47 Thunderbolts land based from Saipan attack targets on both Tinian and Pagan
7-17 July 17, 1944: Aerial Island hopping 7th AF B-25 Mitchells based at Makin stage through Engebi to refuel before bombing Ponape
7-16 July 16, 1944: 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron move to Borokoe Drome on Biak still operating the P-39 Airacobra
7-15 July 15, 1944: Lost in an aerial collision south of Yap is B-24J 42-73119 (MIA) and B-24J 44-40555 (MIA).
7-14 July 14, 1944: Lost is A-20G Havoc 43-9624 pilot Dean hit by anti-aircraft fire over Boela on Ceram Island
7-13 July 13, 1944: Force landed is P-38H 42-66738 pilot Lt. McWhorter who is helped by locals and missionaries and returns to duty.
7-12 July 12, 1944: B-24s bomb Manokwari Airfield on the Vogelkop Peninsula of western New Guinea.
7-11 July 11, 1944: After an ambush SSgt Gerald L. Endl rescued his wounded comrades and earned the Medal of Honor posthumously
7-10 July 10, 1944: During the night, the Japanese 18th Army cross the Drinimour River starting the Battle of the Driniumor River
7-9 July 9, 1944: At 4:15pm Saipan is declared secure at a cost of 3,500 American casualties. Nearly all of the Japanese defenders died
7-8 July 8, 1944: Lost is B-17E "Queenie" 41-2464 pilot Lt. Col Walter P. Piehl on a flight from Nadzab bound for Mokmer
7-7 July 7, 1944: Japanese banzai charge on Saipan. Force landed is F-5B Lighting pilot 1st Lt. Deutschman on Bougainville
7-6 July 6, 1944: Lost is P-39N 42-18813 piloted by 1st Lt. Gabriel J. Eggud when the explosion of the bomb blew off both wings
7-5 July 5, 1944: Lost is B-24D "Big Chief Cockeye" 42-40351 crashed Ceram with four crew POW executed/died
7-4 July 4, 1944: F6F Hellcats perform a fighter sweep over Iwo Jima and loose five including F6F Hellcat 43041 (MIA)
7-3 July 3, 1944: U. S. Army 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (503rd PIR) jump over at Kamiri Airfield on Noemfoor Island
7-2 July 2, 1944: U. S. Army 158th Regimental Combat Team (158th RCT) “Bushmasters “ lands at Kamiri on Noemfoor Island and advance
7-1 July 1, 1944: Lost is B-25D 41-30182 pilot Hurst 1st Lt. Richard Hurst crashed in the Finisterre Range crew missing
July 2019
6-30 June 30, 1944: Lost is P-38J Lightning 42-67793 pilot 1st Lt. Robert L. Crosswait missing in bad weather near Tanahmerah Bay
6-29 June 29, 1944: Lost is B-25G “Coral Princess” 42-64977 pilot 1st Lt. Karl R. James hit by 127mm anti-aircraft direct hit over Nauru Island
6-28 June 28, 1944: Tiny Sorol Atoll to the east of Yap in Micronesia is bombed by B-24 Liberators
6-27 June 27, 1944: eight B-24 Liberators fly gasoline to Kamaing to support Chinese and British Army Chindits in the area
6-26 June 26, 1944: Twelve B-25s fly cover the withdrawal of a U. S. Naval task force that shelled Cape Kurabu on Paramushiru
6-25 June 25, 1944: After a mission to Noemfoor, grounded is PT-193 "Bitchin' Witch" captain Lt. Cyrus R. Taylor is mortally wounded
6-24 June 24, 1944: B-25s, A-26s, and A-20s hit cave entrances on Biak
6-23 June 23, 1944: Lost is F6F Hellcat 42135 pilot Lt(jg) Roy A. Bechtol hit by anti-aircraft fire while strafing Pagan Airfield
6-22 June 22, 1944: B-25s, A-20s, and P-47s hit shipping off Jefman Island (Efman) off New Guinea
6-21 June 21, 1944: Lost is PBM Mariner 45216 pilot Lt. Harry R. Flachsbarth on a night patrol mission west of Saipan due to friendly fire
6-20 June 20, 1944: Lost is F4U Corsair NZ5274 pilot Sgt William J. Thomson hit by anti-aircraft fire near Talili Bay
6-19 June 19, 1944: Start of the Battle of the Philippine Sea / Lost is B-24J 42-73185 pilot Dicker on a weather recon 9 missing
6-18 June 18, 1944: Lost in a refueling accident was PT-107 “Black Magic” and PT-63 at Hamburg Bay off Emirau Island
6-17 June 17, 1944: Lost is B-24D "Dropsnoot” 42-41246 pilot 2nd Lt. Wills Finks on a mission crew bailed out over Hermit Islands
6-16 June 16, 1944: Lost is B-25D "Hell's Belles 41-30019 pilot 1st Lt William A. Selby crashed into the sea off Jefman Island
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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Interviews & Oral Histories