Oro (Northern)

After takeoff from Dobodura Airfield, the airplane was shot down by a Japanese fighter and crashed. All four crew members were killed. Named 'Shady Lady', the airplane was operated as VH-CCZ.
Crew:
S/Sgt Marvin L. Brandt, pilot,
S/Sgt Quentin C. Ruecker, copilot,
Sgt Joseph G. Baltascavage, crew chief,
Cpl Hugh Mack Bryan, radio operator.

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Popondetta. There were no fatalities.

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 shot down by enemy fire while attacking a convoy off Buna. The pilot was able to leave the area and attempted to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in shallow water off Cape Nelson, near Buna. A crew member, 2nd Lt Duncan S. Hughes, was killed while all six other occupants were injured.

The airplane departed Townsville on a flight to Port Moresby (7 Mile Aerodrome). About 30 minutes prior to the ETA, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and the visibility was limited. The captain was able to gain height and continued above the cloud layer. Unfortunately, the aircraft christened 'Yankee Clipper' overflew Port Moresby and continued to the east. Due to fuel shortage, all eight occupants decided to abandon the airplane and bailed out. The airplane dove into the ground and crashed on the slope of Mt Suckling located about 200 km east of Port Moresby and was destroyed. Six crew members were recovered (some of them eight days later) while two others were killed.
Crew (22nd BG):
Lt Duncan A. Seffern, pilot,
2nd Lt James A. Michael, copilot, †
Sgt Paul L. Ramsey, bombardier,
2nd Lt Carroll W. Casteel, navigator, †
Tom Riley, air gunner,
Sgt Kenneth R. Gundling, radio operator,
Sgt George T. Rickman, flight engineer,
Vern Haugland.

The airplane departed 7 Mile Aerodrome in Port Moresby , searching for a Japanese convoy near Buna. At 0915LT, it was attacked by Japanese Mitsubishi Zero. Fifteen minutes later, it went out of control and crashed into the Solomon Sea off Cape Ward Hunt. Eight crew members were killed and another one evaded.
Crew (19th BG):
1st Lt William H. Watson, pilot, †
1st Lt John F. Putman, copilot, †
1st Lt James O. Etter, navigator, †
S/Sgt Robert A. Abadie, bombardier, †
T/Sgt Eugene M. Clemens, flight engineer, †
Sgt Leo T. Ranta,
Sgt Robert V. Copley, †
Cpl Philip A. Deal, air gunner, †
Sgt William H. Parker, air gunner. †

The twin engine airplane departed 7-Mile Aerodrome near Port Moresby to shadow an enemy cruiser force in the Gulf of Huon. Two hours after takeoff, while returning to base, it was attacked by a Japanese fighter. The crew attempted to escape but 10 minutes later, the airplanee was shot down and crashed in a dense wooded area located near the village of Popogo, in the region of Buna. The wreckage was found on 28 February 1943. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (32nd Squadron):
P/O Warren Frank Cowan,
P/O David Reid Taylor,
Sgt Russell Bradburn Polack,
Sgt Lauri Edwin Sheard.

While performing a regional flight, the aircraft was shot by enemy fire. The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing in a jungle located near Tufi. All seven occupants survived but 47 days were needed to join the nearest city.

Following an uneventful bombing mission over Rabaul, the crew was returning to base in Port Moresby when he encountered technical problems. The captain reduced his altitude and attempt an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed in a marshy field and slid for several yards before coming to rest. All eight occupants escaped unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was recovered in 2006 and later convoyed to the US.