USAAF
5th AF
22nd BG
408th BS
Justin Taylan 2003
Pilot 1st Lt. Robert W. Waurie, O-795410
Co-Pilot F/O Percy Donack, T-60908
Navigator 2nd Lt. George R. Brinker, O-691710
Engineer Sgt Harold H. Santarelli, 31166334
Radio S/Sgt Joseph A. Piszczek, 6980430
Passenger S/Sgt Armand Cingranelli, 6980430
Passengger Sgt Carl F. Tomlinson, 18020142
MACR 15323
Crashed March 12, 1944 at aprox 2100 hours
Mission History
This was a new aircraft being ferried from Townsville to Port
Moresby. Took off from Townsville at approximately 1430 hours.
It arrived at 2000 after dark in a blinding rainstorm. The pilot found the strip closed in by weather, and begain circling looking for an opening. In touch with the tower, he made two aproaches, but was too high each time. The pilot was last heard to said "I see the runway." but crashed at 2100 near Burns Peak in a valley above Port Moresby, instantaneously killing all the crew.
Wreckage
Bruce Hoy recalls:
"In
a small valley to the right that can be seen from the road leading
up to Burns Peak, is the remains of this B-24, but I think nothing
now remains of that."
In the late 1990's this area was blasted for a highway roadcut, for Port Moresby's main highway. The area where the wreck was located is still visible, but it is suspected the wreck dissapeared or was scrapped before that time.
Relatives
Piszczek adds:
"My father, S/Sgt Joseph Piszczek, was the radio operator on the flight. He is not listed in the [MACR] because he was a last-minute substitution for someone else. The bodies of the entire crew, including my father's, were recoverd from the wreckage within a couple of days of the crash, but I understand the plane itself was simply abondoned."
B-24
