B-24 crash site found - India

Check the link for the pic.

The Telegraph - Calcutta : Northeast

Young trekkers lift veil off ‘alien wreckage’
- Five Arunachalee youths discover remnants of vintage US plane in Mishmi Hills
ATONU CHOUDHURI

Itanagar, Nov. 26: As Anoko Mega and his mates clasped the leafy branch that stood in their way and tried to set it aside, little did the intrepid adventurers know that beyond the foliage lay the treasure they were looking for.

When they removed the branch, right in front of them was the wreckage of an American plane of World War II vintage with the unmistakable blue-and-white insignia of the Allied Forces gleaming in the fading light of day. Village elders had long spoken of “alien wreckage” scattered across the Mishmi Hills, but Anoko and his team were the first to find remnants of any of the aircraft that are said to have been shot down in that area during the war.

“I could not believe my eyes and neither could my friends. We finally achieved what we had set out to do,” Anoko, 27, told The Telegraph a week after his gruelling two-day trek through dense jungles and mountain trails of the Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh.

The wreckage was discovered at Dopowa Desali in the Mishmi Hills, 2,600 metres above sea level and 700-odd km from the state capital, Itanagar.

Anoko and his team — Laya Mena, Suresh Pulu, Lokhi Mega and Komini Meto — are members of a group that calls itself Dibang Adventure Trail. They decided to trek to the Mishmi Hills after hearing elderly villagers talk about “some alien wreckage”.

Arunachal Pradesh was a base for the allied forces in the war against Japanese troops and the codes inscribed on the body of the plane Anoko’s team discovered read “US Army (B24L)-C-109-11, Project No. 94243-R and Air Force Serial No 4449628”.

“We have contacted the US embassy in Delhi and it will be despatching a team of experts to the site very soon,” Anoko said from Roing, the headquarters of Dibang Valley district.

An official of the state government’s research department said the plane may have crashed during a sortie “through the famous Hump route” to maintain supplies to the Chinese army.

The expedition team found burnt aluminium plates, steel and iron rods and a flare gun in the wreckage. The trekkers also dug out a human mandible from the wreckage.

“All the small retrievable items are in our custody. We will hand them to the experts as soon as they arrive,” Komini said.

 

It seems that there are still human remains in the aircraft, I hope they treat it with respect to the remains. I hope also that they identify the remains and so, remove some more names from the Missing in Action list.

 

Indeed, Morse. They do seem to be failry respectful, fortunately. Hopefully the remains won't be disturbed by souvenir hunters. Just think, another crew possibly no longer listed as missing.

 

If it was 44-49628 then it was lost on 17th July 1945, flown by Allen R Turner. Once again the ABMC have the date wrong (nothing new there :frusty.

Allen R. Turner
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 0-806939
1330th Army Air Force Base Unit
Entered the Service from: Massachusetts
Died: 18-Jul-46
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal

And other possible crew. As Turner is definately the reported pilot the rest of the crews' DoD can be taken to be wrong too. They are they only ones listed for that unit close to the same day and month:

Frederick W. Langhorst
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 0-810387
1330th Army Air Force Base Unit
Entered the Service from: New York
Died: 18-Jul-46
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines
Awards:

Robert L. McAdoo, Jr.
Corporal, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 18082676
1330th Army Air Force Base Unit
Entered the Service from: Texas
Died: 18-Jul-46
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines
Awards:

Joseph I. Natvik
Private First Class, U.S. Army Air Forces
Service # 36816393
1330th Army Air Force Base Unit
Entered the Service from: Wisconsin
Died: 18-Jul-46
Missing in Action or Buried at Sea
Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery
Manila, Philippines
Awards:

 

If, for argument's sake, there were only four crew lost, could she have been up on an air test?

 

It's difficult to say because there appears to be no MACR associated with this crash. So no way of finding out mission, flight path etc.

The guys in the report are going to have a tough job finding out exact details, unless the USAF are willing to dig deep in their files. However, if there are indications that the crew are still there, or a posssibility of such, then they will probably will do the work. The US are really good at repatriating those MIA.

Let's hope the details are released at a later date.

 

It is my understanding from working with ABMC records that the date on the Tablets of the Missing in ABMC cemeteries and memorials is the date the person was officially declared dead, one year and one day after the date the person was reported missing. This is why there are quite a few 1946 dates on the Honolulu and Manila Memorials.

 

Aha, now I see the logic. Thank you DocWilson, that helps in understanding the vageries of the ABMC. It also explains why all the names are down as the 18th when the aircraft was lost on the 17th. Do you happen to know anymore about this particular aircraft and/or crew?

And welcome to the forum. I hope you enjoy your stay.

 

Yes, welcome Doc.

 

Thanks for the welcome(s).

No, I'm afraid I don't know any more about the aircraft and crew than what I've read here; my area of interest is American Battle Monuments Commission and Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries. This forum came up in a Google search for the 1330th Army Air Force Base Unit when I received an inquiry about Corp. Robert L. McAdoo connected with my work on the Find A Grave website; see (Corp Robert L. McAdoo, Jr ( - 1946) - Find A Grave Memorial).

 

Doc, have you seen the posts by Sniper and Spidge re their work on Commonwealth graves?

 

Not yet. Too many posts in their profiles to browse right now, and when I tried a search on "Commonwealth War Graves Commission" I got back a response that I had fewer than four words in my search terms. Hmmm. I will try again when I have more time to explore. In the meantime, by way of introducing myself: my profile on Find A Grave.

 

This'll get you started, Doc:
http://ww2chat.com/forums/memorials-cemeteries/201-commonwealth-roll-honour-project.html
It's a sticky in the Memorials Forum.

Wow, you've been busy!

 

Welcome Doc Wilson.

Do you have all of the Australian VC's?

Just took this one not long ago.

View attachment 1444

HELLFIRE CORNER - Victoria Cross - Australia - Albert Jacka

Captain Albert Jacka, VC, MC & bar

Date of birth: 10 January 1893
Place of birth: Layard, VIC
Date of death: 17 January 1932
Place of death: Caulfield, VIC

Albert Jacka
A02868A

Albert Jacka was born on 10 January 1893 at Layard in Victoria. He completed elementary schooling before working as a labourer, first with his father and then with the Victorian State Forests Department.
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 September 1914 as a private in the 14th Battalion. After training in Egypt Jacka's battalion landed at Gallipoli on 26 April 1915. Just over three weeks later on 19 May, with the ANZACs now entrenched above the beaches, the Turks launched large-scale frontal assaults against their positions. Some Turks captured a small section of trench at Courtney's Post. Early attempts to drive them out failed, until Jacka, taking advantage of a diversion created by bomb throwers at one end of the Turkish position, leapt in, killing most of the occupants. For this he was awarded Australia's first Victoria Cross of the First World War. Jacka quickly became famous - his likeness was used on recruiting posters and his exploits featured regularly in newspapers, particularly in his native Victoria. He began a rapid rise through the ranks, finally becoming a captain in March 1917. Jacka having risen no higher has been attributed to his frequent disputes with superior officers. After Gallipoli the 14th Battalion was shipped to France, where, at Pozières in August 1916 and at Bullecourt in 1917 he won the Military Cross and a bar to that award. The Australian official historian, Charles Bean, described his actions at Pozières, during which he recaptured a section of trench, freed a group of recently captured Australians and forced the surrender of some fifty Germans, as "the most dramatic and effective act of individual audacity in the history of the AIF." He was severely wounded during this action and was hit by a sniper's bullet in July 1917. On each occasion he returned to the front, always furthering his reputation as one of the AIF's most respected warriors. In May 1918 he received the wound that ended his combat career, this time during a German gas bombardment near Villers-Bretonneux. Jacka returned to Australia in September 1919. Greeted by a large crowd upon his return, Jacka was described in one newspaper as "the symbol of the spirit of the ANZACs." After being demobilised in January 1920 he went into business with two former members of his battalion. He married the following year and he and his wife later adopted a daughter. In 1929 Jacka was elected to the St Kilda Council becoming mayor the following year. His political career was characterised by his strong interest in assisting the unemployed. Meanwhile his business, which had performed well until the late 1920s, was forced into voluntary liquidation in 1930. At the same time Jacka's health began to deteriorate. He entered Caulfield Military Hospital in December 1931 and died from kidney disease the following month. More than 6,000 people filed past his coffin as it lay in state and his funeral procession, flanked by thousands of onlookers, was led by over 1,000 returned soldiers - the coffin was carried by eight Victoria Cross winners. Jacka was buried with full military honours in St Kilda cemetery.

Related Links

• Timeline
• 14th Battalion
• Collection Items
• First World War Nominal Roll (PDF file)
• Honours & Awards

 

I can get you the Western Australian boy as well whose name escapes me at present.

And Hughie Edwards.

 

These are the Headstones / Memorials that I am chasing for the RAAF in the USA.

If you can assist Doc, I would be most appreciative.

MILNE, FRANCIS DEBENHAM Pilot Officer 33516 21 BASE WING 26/11/1942 25 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Sec. 34. Coll. Grave 4754. ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY USA Virginia

SCOTT, RONALD WILLIAM Leading Aircraftman 13732 2 MD BRANDON RCAF 12/02/1944 22 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Sec. 138. Row E. Grave 12. LOS ANGELES NATIONAL CEMETERY USA California

MORRIS, LLOYD ASHWIN Flight Lieutenant 419326 25sq 12/08/1945 28 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Sec. E. 153. SAN BRUNO (GOLDEN GATE) NATIONAL CEMETERY USA California

CLAPINSON, HENRY WILLIAM Sergeant 6109 HQ RAAF Attch USAAF 19/03/1944 36 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Sec. 84. Coll. grave 402. ST. LOUIS (JEFFERSON BARRACKS) NATIONAL CEMETERY USA Missouri

KEOGH, GERARD MICHAEL Flying Officer 266551 HQ RAAF Melbourne 30/08/1943 40 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Sec. 82. Coll. grave 34. ST. LOUIS (JEFFERSON BARRACKS) NATIONAL CEMETERY USA Missouri

MACKAY, WILLIAM ALEXANDER Sergeant 414624 41 RDF Attchd 63 Bomb Sq USAAF 30/06/1943 29 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Sec. 84. Coll. grave 403-405. ST. LOUIS (JEFFERSON BARRACKS) NATIONAL CEMETERY USA Missouri

HAWTER, EDGAR HORACE Flight Sergeant 406129 90 Bomber Sqn USAAF 26/07/1942 28 Royal Australian Air Force Australian Sec. W. Coll. grave 17527/9. VICKSBURG NATIONAL CEMETERY USA Mississippi

 

This one Andy??

Australian Victoria Cross Winner​

Private James Heather Gordon
​

Unit 2/31st Battalion Born 7 March 1909 at Rockingham, Western Australia Date of action 10 July 1941 Place Near Jezzine (Djezzine), Lebanon Details About 2.30am, on 10 July, on the right of an attack, the company was held up by intense machine-gun fire. Movement, even by single individuals, became very difficult. One officer and two men were killed and others were wounded. The enemy machine-gun position was reinforced and had complete coverage of the area. Gordon, on his own initiative, then crawled out from his position towards the gun. A continuous stream of bullets passed over him and as he got closer the enemy threw grenades which burst above his head. This did not stop Gordon, who leapt to his feet and charged the post. He killed four machine gunners with his bayonet and his action demoralised other defenders in the area. The main attack then proceeded and the company took the position. They were then ordered to withdraw from the new positions at 5am. After all the enemy arms and equipment had been destroyed, the company fought its way back to the battalion. Gordon further distinguished himself in these subsequent actions.
Died 24 July 1986 Buried or Commemorated Plaque at Karrakatta Crematorium, Perth Current location of the VC Privately held

 

This is a great site for Aussie VC recipients!

List of Australian winners of the Victoria Cross

 

You are in good company with Spidge and Sniper. That's an impressive profile.

I too did a google of the 1330th and only found snippets. Not enough to get a clear picture but I intend to post a message on a coupl eof other forums for more information. Unfortunately almost all my books on that theatre focus on the Commonwealth units.

 

Albert Jacka is probably my favorite story and favorite monument among the Australian VCs.

This is the bio I wrote for him on Find A Grave:

World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. One of the most renowned Australian soldiers of all time, he was the first Australian-born man to be awarded the V.C. while serving with the Australian Army. He was born at Layard, Victoria, and after an elementary education he began working with his father, a lumberman. At age 18 he began working for the Victorian State Forests Department and enlisted in the 14th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, in September 1914. He was awarded the VC for action at a position called Courtney's Post during the Gallipoli Campaign, May 19, 1915. His citation reads “For most conspicuous bravery on the night of the 19th-20th May, 1915 [it was actually about 3:00 a.m. on the 19th], at Courtney's Post, Gallipoli Peninsula. Lance-Corporal Jacka, while holding a portion of our trench with four other men, was heavily attacked. When all except himself were killed or wounded, the trench was rushed and occupied by seven Turks. Lance-Corporal Jacka at once most gallantly attacked them single-handed, and killed the whole party, five by rifle fire and two with the bayonet.” According to a report filed by his commander, Lieutenant K.G.W. Crabbe, when Jacka was relieved he was found with an unlit cigarette in his mouth and his face “flushed by the tremendous excitement he had undergone during the previous hour.” Jacka calmly told Crabbe, “Well, I managed to get the beggars, sir.” He developed a reputation as a soldier’s soldier - popular with the men, considered borderline insubordinate by officers. A fellow solider said of him, “instead of criming men (putting them on report) and bringing them before the officers, his method was: “I won’t crime you, I’ll give you a punch on the bloody nose.” Some writers have considered that it was his difficult reputation with the higher-ups that denied him a second or even third VC. An example of this was, during the Battle of Pozières in the Somme Campaign, August 7, 1916, the Germans had captured about 40 men from an Australian platoon when Jacka and seven others counter-attacked. Despite being wounded in seven places he was reported to have killed more than twenty of the enemy himself. In the words of the unit history: “This brilliant counter-attack against an overwhelming and triumphant enemy was completely successful - all the Australian prisoners were released, the whole of the German escort guarding them was killed or dispersed, and in addition 42 unwounded Germans...were captured.” The official Australian history of the war called it “the most dramatic and effective act of individual audacity in the history of the AIF.” Though denied the VC for this action, he was awarded the Military Cross and earned a promotion to Lieutenant, then earned a Bar to his MC for his actions during the Battle Of Bullecourt in April 1917. Albert Jacka was so severely affected by a gas attack at Villers-Bretonneux in May 1918 that it was feared he might not live. Following two operations and a long recuperation, he returned to Australia in September 1919. He married in 1921 and started an electrical equipment import-export business with two soldiers from his old unit. He was elected to the town council of St. Kilda, Victoria, in 1929 and mayor the next year. Unfortunately, a combination of his war wounds, the strain of his civil duties, and the stress of trying to keep his business afloat during the Depression all combined to speed the decline of his health. He died of chronic nephritis in Caulfield Military Hospital, Melbourne, just a week past his 39th birthday. A fellow veteran of the 14th Battalion summed him up: “Not we only, but the brigade, and the whole AIF come to look upon him as a rock of strength that never failed. We of the 14th Battalion never ceased to be thrilled when we heard ourselves referred to in the estaminet or by passing units on the march as ‘some of Jacka’s mob.’” His medals are on display at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

Sorry for the thread drift, but that's the kind of story that makes me regret I'm not Australian.

pfw