USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
403rd BS
Pilot Captain Jean Albert Jack, O-24178 (Tekamah, Nebraska)
Co-Pilot 1st Lt Arthur G. Durbeck, O-431269
Navigator 1st Lt James W. Knapp, O-860497
Bombardier M/Sgt Harry Urban, 6979202
Engineer T/Sgt John J. Meehan, 6949374
Radio T/Sgt Carl P. Averill, 6149242
Asst Radio Sgt David E. Carlson, 37086222
Gunner Cpl Armando B. Mancini, 12024720 (WIA)
Gunner Cpl Canaan
Tail Gunner Sgt Dale F. Barr, 17038234
Ditched January
5, 1943
Pilot History
Pilot Jean A. Jack was born January 7, 191 in Tekamah, Nebraska. Entered the military through Army ROTC. Being a Nebraska boy, his first assignment was to be in charge of the horses used by the 80th Field Artillery at Fort Des Moines Army Base. Jean was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field Artillery in 1941, and graduated from the U.S. Air Corps Flying School in 1942. After the war, Jean remained a full Colonel on active duty, serving his country in the United States Air Force for over 28 years. His service record as a command pilot contained more than 4600 hours of military flying time and 67 active combat missions, for which he received numerous distinguished military awards, including the Purple Heart. He retired from the military in 1968. Jack passed away in late May 2006.
Mission History
Armed with 100lbs general purpose bombs. One of three B-17s that took off from 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby to attack Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul. One B-17 aborted due to engine problems. The approach to be made by coming over Raratuna Crater on heading at 1,700' making diving 90 degree turn crossing 2,000' and make 30 second run then make 100 degree turn away from the target area and return base.
The remaining two B-17s continued on making three dry runs over target but were unable to drop bombs because clouds obscured target. They experienced intense anti-aircraft over Simpson Harbor and were attacked by A6M Zeros of the 582nd Kokutai. Four Zeros were claime during an air battle between the target and 100 miles south of Rabaul, between 1000 hours and 1030 hours.
The offical report says "Both old and new type Zero noted as well as E/A resembling ME-109. Enemy aircraft made determined attacks mostly from the front quarter". The 'ME-109s' were likely Ki-43 of the 11th Sentai which had just arrived from Truk to Rabaul. M/Sgt Urban, the navigator, Lt. Knapp, the radio operator, T/Sgt Averili and side gunner, CpI Canaan each claimed one plane shot down each. It is possible that one more enemy plane was shot down.
The ball turret was shot out in the first pass. There were holes in the radio compartment. The No. 1 engine was shot through by either machine gun bullets or cannon shells. The left wing was shot through by canon shell, just inboard the #1 nacelle damaging the mainspar, engine controls, oil cooler and putting a hole in the gas tank. The engine failed to feather.
This B-17 ditched in the ocean 200 yds offshore Urasi Island, northwest of the passage between Furgeson and Goodenough.
Also lost this mission, last seen over the target was B-17F "San Antonio Rose" 41-24458.
Durbeck adds:
"Our airplane was badly shot up. The ball turret was shot out. There were holes in the radio compartment. The No. 1 engine was shot through by either machine gun bullets or cannon shells. The left wing was shot through by cannon shell just inboard the No. 1 nacelle shooting out the main spar, engine controls, oil cooler and putting a hole in the gas tank. The engine failed to feather. Due to damage to the aircraft and loss of gasoline and weather it was necessary to make a crash landing at sea, there were no injuries to personnel due to the landing."
Dairies of Eddie Allan Stantton (page 114) adds:
"Januay 1943, Gumasila Island a B-17 crashed a week or so ago no airmen killed. I found log, took off from 7-Mile to Gasmata then over Buka at 28,500') and back to 7-Mile via Woodlark. Pilot Smyth Navigator Knapp' Crashed on other side of the island into the water 50m from shore, tail above the water. Did not take anything, nothin to take. Morning natives brought two rifles crew left behind. Many shells casings near village."
Wreckage
Rod Pearce adds: There is a wing up on the beach and a propeller was pulled from the wreck and ended up in some museum. The rest must be in water."
References
Pride of Seattle page 13-14
General Kennet Reports pages 176, 177
Front Line Airline mentions this incident
Diaries of Eddie Allan Stantton, page 114
Thanks to Rev. Martha Hicks Touchton for interview link about Jack.
B-17
Pilot
Interview
