Port Moresby

At 1250LT, the engines were started and the seaplane named 'Camilla' took off from Townsville. Aboard with 27 passengers including 22 from the Royal Australian Air Force and 5 from the USAAF. The weather reports before departing and radio reports en route were favorable. After climbing to 2,000 feet, Camilla flew northward towards New Guinea. At 1600LT, Koch heard reports from other aircraft that Port Moresby was experiencing light rain with a ceiling of 1,000 feet and visibility of 2,000 yards. Despite the bad weather, he elected to proceed believing it was only localized weather that would pass. As he neared the southern coast of New Guinea clouds were increasing and he took a sun sight bearing twenty minutes off Hood Point before receiving reports that the weather was deteriorating, with a ceiling of 600 feet and visibility of 1,100 yards. While over Hood Point, Camilla received another weather report that conditions were improving with 1,000 feet ceiling and 2,000 yards visibility. Flying westward, the weather over Bootless Bay appeared to be clear, but Koch opted not to land there fearing the presence of mines and proceed toward Basilisk Light at the edge of the Basilisk Passage on Natera Reef off Port Moresby but flew into light rain showers and dense overcast. By radio, Camilla was advised to wait to land until a flare path was laid in Fairfax Harbor. While waiting, Camilla circled Basilisk Light twice at 500 feet. Due to fatigue from circling on instruments, Koch opted to fly to the northwest but found the weather was no better and returned to Basilisk Light, but conditions had further deteriorated and Koch opted to fly to the northwest toward Yule Island in hopes of landing there, but was unable to find the island or see the coastline due to poor weather conditions and climbed to 4,700 feet. Another radio message stated the flare path was still being laid. Koch ordered the crew to instruct the passengers about the possibility of an emergency landing and for everyone to don their life jackets and prepare to use the life rafts. At 1727LT, Camilla's radio operator asked Port Moresby to turn on their radio direction finding station, but it was not functioning, but a USAAF beacon was on as of 1700LT and a RAAF beacon was turned on at 1730LT. Flying eastward again, Camilla returned toward Port Moresby using the radio direction finding beacons. Radio messages stated the flare path was still being laid and weather conditions were not improving. By 1820LT, the RAAF marine section had laid a flare path on Fairfax Harbor but was having problems keeping them lit due to heavy rain. At 1855LT, Koch requested that search lights be turned on. At 1910LT, three searchlights were on converging at 4,000 feet and the flare path was reported as laid but visibility was nil. Due to the poor weather, Koch decided to attempt to land at sea south of Port Moresby towards the southeast towards Hood Point but the sea proved to be too rough and the landing was aborted and Camilla returned to Port Moresby using the radio beacon signals. Flying southward at 3,000 feet the sea was less rough and Camilla turned northward towards Port Moresby but were unable to observe the flare path, but were able to briefly see searchlights at 5 Mile Drome and 7 Mile Drome. Airborne for roughly seven hours, Camilla had only 90 gallons of fuel aboard and Koch prepared to make an emergency landing then taxi into Fairfax Harbor and radioed at 1955LT that he was going to land at sea. Flying south of Port Moresby and descending to 1,500 feet before landing with quarter flaps descending at 200 feet per minute at approximately 105 mph with the engines throttled back to a quarter power and the autopilot on. Before landing, purser Barley served cold drinks to the pilots to quench their thirst. During the descent, clouds were observed outside even at 100' altitude before the sea was visible. Before landing at altimeter reading of zero, the autopilot was disengaged and nose elevated to decease the speed further. Realizing they were still above the sea, the throttles were increased but the right engine did not immediately respond and the left engine throttle was closed as Camilla nosed down descending at 400 feet per minute and altitude of -30' before impacting the surface of the sea.
Crew:
Cpt Albert Aubrey Koch, pilot,
F/O Sydney William John Peak, copilot,
P/O Theo J. Phillips, radio operator, †
P/O Walter R. Bartley, purser. †
Passengers:
Ac1 Alan R. Stephens, †
Sgt Ernest John Grady, †
Sgt Ernest Alfred Flanagan, †
Ac1 James A. Harris, †
Lac Alfred J. Ellis, †
Ac1 Vincent E. Grogan, †
Cpl Donald W. Nicholson, †
Ac1 Jack S. Sherwin,
Pvt John F. Walters, †
Pfc Clyde Dobbs Jr., †
1st Lt Norman B. Slote, †
Sgt Frederick A. Burness Jr, †
T/Sgt O'Dell 14.
Source: http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/short/camilla.html

On approach to Port Moresby, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed 12 km northeast of the airport and was damaged beyond repair. All three crewmen escaped unhurt.

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.