All Solomon Islands | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew departed Honiara-Henderson Airfield to attack Japanese ships cruising off Shortland and Bougainville Islands. While approaching the target area, the airplane named 'Bessie The Jap Basher' was shot down by the pilots of Japanese fighters, crashed into the sea and sank by a depth of 30 metres off Shortland Island. Eight crew members were killed while the captain was rescued and later executed by Japanese soldiers.
Crew (11th BG):
1st Lt Charles E. Norton, pilot,
1st Lt Bruce S. Barker, copilot,
1st Lt Leo M. Eminger, navigator,
Sgt James R. Mathewson, bombardier,
S/Sgt Peter F. Novak, radio operator,
S/Sgt William L. Hotard, air gunner,
S/Sgt Fred S. Croyle, air gunner,
Sgt Bruce W. Osborne, air gunner,
Pfc Edward A. Carroll, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by Japanese fighters.

Crash of a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress on Rendova Island: 9 killed

Date & Time: Sep 8, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Operator:

Registration:

41-9071

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Pouembout - Pouembout

MSN:

2543

YOM:

1941

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed Pouembout-Plaine des Gaiacs AFB (New Caledonia) on a maritime patrol flight over the Solomon Sea. While cruising off Rendova Island, the crew intercepted a Japanese flying boat but was shot down. The airplane entered a dive and crashed on Rendova Island. All nine crew members were killed.
Crew (11th BG):
Cpt Robert H. Richards, pilot,
1st Lt Robert H. McGhee, copilot,
2nd Lt William F. B. Morris, navigator,
S/Sgt Charles E. Bayer, bombardier,
Cpl Otis O. Black Jr., flight engineer,
Cpl Yvon W. Bailey, assistant to the flight engineer,
Sgt Hugh M. King, radio operator,
Cpl Peter Charuk, air gunner,
Pvt William Omanoff, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress into the Sealark Channel: 9 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Operator:

Registration:

41-9218

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Luganville - Luganville

MSN:

2690

YOM:

1941

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Circumstances:

The four engine airplane departed Luganville Airport, Vanuatu, on an operation to Tulagi, Nggela Islands. While approaching the target area, the airplane was shot down by Japanese fighters and crashed into the sea. All 9 crew members were killed.
Crew (11th BG):
Lt Rush E. McDonald, pilot,
2nd Lt John J. Heard, Jr., copilot,
Cpl Joseph H. Wood, bombardier,
2nd Lt Homer W. Vail, navigator,
Sgt William L. Hammack, flight engineer,
Sgt Richard C. Inman, flight engineer,
Cpl Leroy Payne, radio operator,
S/Sgt James E. Briggs, air gunner,
S/Sgt Daniel L. Cross, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a Japanese fighter.