Solomon Islands | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While overflying the Rekata Bay, near Santa Isabel Island, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea near a Japanese Naval Air Station. All five occupants were killed. The wreckage was spotted in August 1945.
Crew (3rd Squadron):
F/Sgt Norman Newall,
Sgt Albert Mahony,
Sgt Henry Downard,
F/Sgt David Newlands,
Sgt Richard Andrew.

Crash of a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress off Shortland Island: 9 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Operator:

Registration:

41-2420

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Honiara - Honiara

MSN:

2231

YOM:

1941

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The crew left Honiara-Henderson Airfield to attack Japanese ships cruising off Shortland and Bougainville Islands. While approaching the target, the aircraft christened 'Bessie The Jap Basher' was shot down by the pilots of Japanese fighters and crashed into the sea by a depth of 100 feet 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 off Rendova Island: 9 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Operator:

Registration:

41-9071

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Pouembout - Pouembout

MSN:

2543

YOM:

1941

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The aircraft left Pouembout-Plaine des Gaiacs AFB (New Caledonia) on a maritime patrol flight over the Solomon Islands. While cruising off the Rendova Island, the crew intercepted a Japanese flying boat but was shot down and crashed into the sea. 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 in Tulagi: 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:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Luganville - Luganville

MSN:

2690

YOM:

1941

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Circumstances:

The four engine aircraft left Luganville Airport in Vanuatu on a bombing mission to Tulagi, Solomon Islands. While approaching the target, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Japanese fighter and crashed. 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.