Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in Emirau: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1945 at 0707 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4607
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6205
YOM:
1944
Location:
Emirau Island
New Ireland
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft banked left, hit the ground and crashed in flames. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (21st Squadron):
W/Cdr Andrew Henderson,
F/Lt Alexander Baxter,
F/Lt Arthur Lambie,
F/Sgt William Torkington.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in Lelet Plateau: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4613
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Emirau - Rabaul
MSN:
6268
Location:
Lelet
New Ireland
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew left Emirau Airport on a bombing mission to Rabaul. Following a uneventful mission and while returning to its base, the twin engine aircraft crashed in the Lelet Plateau. The wreckage was found in November 1945 only. All six crew members have been killed.
Crew (8th Squadron):
F/O Norman Benton,
F/Sgt James Cunneen,
F/Sgt Robert Buchanan,
W/O Chris Jeffares,
F/Sgt James Mallett,
Sgt Norman Merfield.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura off Piva: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Operator:
Registration:
NZ4623
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Piva – Emirau
MSN:
6338
YOM:
1944
Location:
Piva
Autonomous Region of Bougainville
Country:
Papua New Guinea
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Few minutes after take off from Piva Aerodrome, en route to Emirau Island, the twin engine aircraft crashed into the sea some 15 miles offshore. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found, except two dinghies and a headset.
Crew (4th Squadron):
W/Cdr Norman Lecher,
F/Lt John Wright,
F/Lt Harald Thomson,
W/O William Boughey,
F/O Barclay Harrington,
Sgt Lewis Mawson,
Sgt Rex Mossman.
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