Port Moresby

The crew was engaged in a supply mission to Soputa to drop ammunition and oil drums to Australian soldiers at the drop zone called 'Jumbora'. While flying at an altitude of 100 feet, the twin engine airplane nosed up sharply then crash landed in a wooded area. Three crew members were killed and one was injured.
Crew (1st OTU):
S/L William Allan Pedrina, pilot, †
F/O Donald Beviss Kerr, observer, †
Sgt Arthur Rupert Itzerott, radio operator, †
W/O Leo Charles Callaghan, air gunner.

Named 'The Flying Dutchman', the airplane departed Port Moresby on a flight to Pongani on behalf of the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron's to deliver supplies and troops from the 32nd Infantry Division and the 126th Infantry Regiment. While cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the aircraft encountered severe downdrafts, lost altitude and eventually crashed against Mt Obree, in the center of PNG. Of the 23 aboard, 17 survived the crash. Many had serious injuries and burns, and died afterwards waiting for help. Eventually, some of the survivors found help and only six survived. The wreckage was rediscovered during an air search mission for a missing Piaggio on March 8, 1961. The airplane has the dual registration 41-18564 and VH-CCU.
Crew:
2nd Lt George W. Vandervort, pilot, †
Cpt Theodore W. Barron, †
T/Sgt Stephen J. Pitch, flight engineer, †
Sgt George B. Kershner, radio operator.
Passengers:
Tec Lawrence E. Peterson, †
Sgt James M. Verstay, †
Sgt Edward K. Holleman,
Pfc Gerald M. Grove, †
Pfc Frank A. Thomas, Jr.,
Pfc Malvern E. Patton, †
Pfc William L. Smith, †
Pvt Vernon R. Moak, †
Pvt Charles W. Raddatz, †
Pvt Charles I. Stokes, †
Pvt Margarito Padilla, †
Pvt Carlos D. Failin, †
Pvt Duane R. Butler,
Pvt Floyd L. August,
Pvt John W. Mobley,
Pvt John J. Bellus, †
Pvt Theodore Romero, †
Pvt Martin J. Brandon, †
Pvt Antonio T. Montes. †

The airplane departed Port Moresby-5 Mile Aerodrome at 1050LT to drop supplies to the U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment at Bofu during their crossing of the Kapa Kapa Trail across the Owen Stanley Range. During the supply drop, one of the cargo parachutes became tangled on the tail assembly, causing the airplane to crash into a hillside. All eight occupants were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Harold B. Majure, pilot,
Sgt Douglas Croot, copilot,
Sgt Jack J. Deonier, flight engineer,
T/Sgt Clifford D. Stephens, radio operator.
Passengers:
Col Lawrence A. Quinn,
Cpt Harland C. Andrews,
Pvt Stanley C. Davis,
Pvt Kenneth W. Horrocks.

The airplane was returning to base in Port Moresby following a reconnaissance mission to locate Japanese ships off Lae. On the return trip, the captain was forced to attempt an emergency landing after the airplane ran out of fuel. It crash landed near the Laloki River, in the region of Sogeri, and was damaged beyond repair. All eight occupants escaped unhurt and were rescued.

The airplane departed Port Moresby-Seven Mile Airport in the early morning with a crew of eight and a load of 1,000 pounds of bombs to attack Japanese ships based in the Tonolei Harbor. Approaching the target area, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to return to base. But the airplane failed to arrive and was lost without trace. On 24 February 1999, a hunter found the wreckage on the top of a ridge located about 8 hours walk from the villages of Nigila and Gopai, Milne Bay Province.
Crew (19th BG):
1st Lt John S. Hancock, pilot,
Sgt Robert H. Burns, copilot,
1st Lt James W. Carver, navigator,
Cpl Hiram D. Wilkinson, flight engineer,
Sgt Edward R. Cipriani, radio operator,
Sgt Mac S. Groesbeck, air gunner,
Sgt Raymond A. Maxwell, air gunner,
Cpl Curtis F. Longenberger, air gunner.

The airplane departed Port Moresby-5 Mile Airfield on a supply mission. The crew was supposed to drop food and supplies to the Australian Army soldiers based in the Kokoda Trail. The airplane failed to return to base and the wreckage was later found in an uninhabited area near Bodinumu. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Wilson C. Cater, pilot,
S/Sgt Glenn E. Webb, copilot,
M/Sgt Donald A. Mackey, crew chief.

The airplane departed Mareeba, Queensland, then made a fuel stop at Port Moresby-Seven Mile Airport. It then continued to Rabaul on a mission to attack the Vunakanau Airfield. Approaching the target area, it was attacked and shot down by 11 Mitsubishi Zero and crashed. All nine crew members were killed.
Crew (19th BG):
1st Lt Earl L. Hageman Jr.,
1st Lt Dale E. Hanson,
2nd Lt Angelo P. Bianco,
2nd Lt Wade H. Lowry,
S/Sgt Michael G. Adamow,
Sgt Thomas H. Jack,
Cpl Frank J. Mehock,
Pfc Thomas W. Wilzbacher,
Sgt Frank W. Plunkett, air gunner.

On final approach to Port Moresby-Seven Mile Airport, the aircraft stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (36th Squadron):
Sgt Gordon Thomas Beitz,
Sgt John Douglas Dally,
Sgt Alber,
F/Lt Stewart Devine,
LAC Frank Harold Foers.

The airplane departed 7 Mile Aerodrome in Port Moresby on an operation to Rabaul. Approaching the target area, it was attacked by Japanese fighters. The crew attempted to escape but the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a plantation located in Kabanga, east of Rabaul. All nine crew members were killed.
Crew (19th BG):
1st Lt Hugh S. Grundmann, pilot,
1st Lt LeRoy F. Foltz, copilot,
2nd Lt Donald L. Bonham,
2nd Lt Frank M. Burton Jr.,
Pfc William A. Takala,
Cpl James T. McHugh Jr.,
Cpl Harry T. Isles,
Pvt Kenneth E. Dake,
Pvt Robert E. McClure.

The airplane departed 7 Mile Aerodrome in Port Moresby on an operation to Rabaul. Approaching the target area, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and was attacked by enemy fire as well. The captain decided to return to Port Moresby but after a flight of 3,5 hours, the radio compass failed. The crew attempted to make an emergency landing on a beach located on Malapla Island. While the airplane was damaged beyond repair, all 10 occupants escaped unhurt.
Crew (19th BG):
Cpt Harry J. Hawthorne, pilot,
2nd Lt Paul J. Scarboro, copilot,
2nd Lt Warren E. Bryant, navigator,
2nd Lt Robert J. Haase, bombardier,
S/Sgt Milton P. Kelm, flight engineer,
Pfc Arnold G. Osborne, radio operator,
Cpl Walter T. Buchanan, air gunner,
Michael R. Andrade, air gunner,
S/Sgt Selm, air gunner,
Cpl Paul K. Harmon, air gunner.