Crash of a Consolidated B-24L-1-CO Liberator into the Sawoe Sea: 9 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
A72-77
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fenton - Fenton
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was on his way to attack Japanese positions. While overflying the Sawoe Sea at low height, the heavy bomber was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter and crashed into the sea. 9 crew members were killed while two others were injured.
Crew (24th Squadron):
F/Lt Eric V. Ford, pilot,
W/O C. G Vickers, copilot,
F/Lt L. D. Crowther, navigator,
Sgt W. W. Sayer, flight engineer,
F/Lt W. Laing, bombadier,
F/O R. T. Jordon, wireless operator and air gunner,
W/O A. N. Collins, wireless operator and air gunner,
F/Sgt K. J. White, air gunner,
F/Sgt L. Raine, air gunner,
F/Sgt J. M. Waddell, air gunner,
F/Sgt L. Faichnie, air gunner.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24M-10-CO Liberator off Borneo: 12 killed

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
A72-191
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a special paratroop mission over Indonesia. As the aircraft was never found, it is believed it crashed into the sea off Borneo.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL off Biak: 20 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
43-16224
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tacloban – Biak
MSN:
20690
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
While descending to Biak Island while on a flight from Tacloban, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea, killing all 20 occupants.
Crew:
Pfc Conrad W. Andrews,
Sgt Oscar Arnold,
S/Sgt Howard E. Burlew Sr.,
2nd Lt Robert C. Greenmeyer,
Pfc Albert P. Herbst,
Cpt Edward D. Hirst,
S/Sgt Kendric L. Johnson,
2nd Lt Clarence M. Lindquist,
T/Sgt John F. Lisowski,
1st Lt Robert Marpet,
1st Lt Harold R. McMillan,
S/Sgt John A. Moore,
S/Sgt Henry C. Ousley Jr.,
1st Lt Horace V. Petty,
Cpl George R. Powell,
Pfc Sylvester J. Raba,
S/Sgt Bert J. Shelata Jr.,
Sgt John F. Stucky,
T/Sgt George G. Sullivan,
T/Sgt Judd N. Wommack.

Crash of a Lockheed C-60A-5-LO LodeStar in Merauke

Date & Time: Jan 26, 1945 at 0600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A67-6
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
18-2610
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During takeoff roll, a tyre burst. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Tyre burst on takeoff.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24L-1-CO Liberator in Timor: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1945
Operator:
Registration:
A72-70
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fenton - Fenton
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Fenton on a reconnaissance mission. While flying over Timor (Cape Chater), the heavy bomber was shot down by the Japansese Flak and crashed, killing all eleven crew members.
Crew (24th Squadron):
W/O Evelyn Bruce Baile,
F/Sgt William James Cornes,
F/Lt Kenneth William Edwards,
F/Lt Thomas Guy Evans,
F/Sgt Graham Neil Head,
W/O Jack Holt,
Sgt David Knox Kyle-Little,
F/Sgt Noel Patrick Martin,
P/O Kenwyn Howard Richards,
F/Sgt Joseph Arthur William Stevenson,
P/O Leonard King Teitzel.
Source: http://www.ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/a72-70.htm

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL in Biak: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1945 at 1030 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-100479
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Biak – Peleliu
MSN:
18942
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Biak-Boroke Airport, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the pilot made a turn to the right when control was lost. The aircraft crashed in a swampy area located north of the airfield. The wreckage was found on March 11, 1945 only, and all 5 occupants were killed. For unknown reason, the crew attempted a turn to the right instead off left with a ceiling at 1,000 feet.
Crew (375th TCG):
2nd Lt Thomas H. Fletcher,
2nd Lt Robert W. McDowell,
2nd Lt Carl F. Copeland,
Sgt Charlie A. Donnelly,
T/Sgt James E. Wilson.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando in Irian Jaya: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
42-101046
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Biak - Hollandia
MSN:
30501
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
En route, the crew was informed by ground about the deterioration of the weather conditions. Shortly later, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Iran Jaya. All six occupants were killed.

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell near Langgur: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 1944 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N5-214
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While approaching the Langgur Airport, the B-25 Mitchell was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter and crashed. At least one crew member was killed.
Crew (18th Squadron):
F/Sgt Thomas Hugh Barclay.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina into the Kao Bay: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08137
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
173
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a bombing mission over the Northern Halmaheras Islands (North Maluku). While approaching the target by night, the seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the Kao Bay. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt R. W. Ball,
Lt Robert Federico,
Ens Robert H. Hicks 2.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Namlea: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
A24-45
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
En route, while cruising in poor weather conditions, the seaplane hit a mountain (2,000 meters high) located in the region of Namlea. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found until 1993.