Crash of a Martin B-26 Marauder near Buna: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
40-1492
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1492
YOM:
1940
Location:
Buna
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was in charge to attack a convoy when he was hit by enemy fire. The captain was able to leave the area and attempted to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in shallow water off Cape Nelson, in the region of Buna. A crew member was killed while all six other occupants were injured. Crew (22nd BG).
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson IIIA in Popogo: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1942 at 1334 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
A16-201
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Port Moresby - Port Moresby
MSN:
414-6408
YOM:
1942
Location:
Buna
Oro (Northern)
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft took off from 7-Mile Aerodrome located near Port Moresby, on a solo mission to shadow an enemy cruiser force in the Gulf of Huon. Two hours after take off, while returning to his base, the crew was attacked by the pilot of a Japanese fighter and tried to escape. Ten minutes later, the aircraft was shot down and crashed in a dense wooded area located near the village of Popogo, in the region of Buna. The wreckage was sited on February 28, 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.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese fighter.
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