USAAF
5th AF
38th BG
71st BS
Pilot Captain William L. Uhler, O-660013 (KIA)
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Owen H. Salvage, O-798033 (POW/KIA)
Navigator 1st Lt. Donnelly R. McMillan, O-660876 (KIA)
Radio S/Sgt. Joseph H. McDonough, 13012101 (KIA)
Gunner S/Sgt. Gerard H. Fortier, 11037020 (KIA)
Crashed August 2, 1943
MACR 4698
Mission History
Took off from Durand Drome (17 Mile) on a barge sweep near Madang. On the way to the target, enemy aircraft attacked the formation forcing the B-25’s to seek a tight formation. As pilot Uhler approached a formation of three B-25’s, number 1 aircraft of that formation, nor knowing he had acquired wingmen, banked sharply to the right. Captain Uhler could not bank sharply enough and tore the left wing tip of his aircraft upon hitting the right fuselage of number 2 aircraft.
After the collision, Uhler’s aircraft appeared to land on a reef and was partially out of the water when last seen. The tail of the plane was seen to drag through the water for about fifty feet. Location was said to be two miles north of Kepler Point, located to the east of Astrolabe Bay, about sixty miles from Madang. No survivors were seen to emerge from the plane, but the other aircraft were travelling so fast so as to evade the enemy fighters, there was a possibility the crew could not have been seen by the other crews. In fact, one member of the crew, Salvage survived the crash and was captured.
Walt Deas adds:
"Loss also reported at Kelona Village area of Wald Bay. Wald Bay may be Wab Bay. On modern maps Kepler Point is sometimes called Cape Iris. All confusing!"
POW Exicuted
Salvage was taken to the Madang area. At Amron on August 31, 1943 five captured airmen: four from B-25D 41-30118 and 2nd Lt. Owen Salvage was escorted to the killing grounds and many soldiers took turns bayoneting him.
Post war affidavit L/Cpl Yasukuni Tani. (clerk, Kempei Tai Amron) states:
“The actual execution was to be three prisoners by Kempei Tai and two by headquarters Sentry Guard Unit. However, 1st Lt. Matsumoto’s Kempei Tai members said, “We will execute the three prisoners for the revenge of the death of our comrade, Cpl Nakano. This Matsumoto’s Unit had a conflict several weeks ago at Kesa village, which is located at the head of the Ramu River. The three prisoners were blindfolded and escorted down the mountain to the execution ground by the Kempei Tai members and Sgt Major Kawawa, Cpl Ishikawa and S.Pvt Ozawa. After about 20 minutes had elapsed, Matsumoto’s Kempei Tai group came back and said, “The execution is over now, we will proceed back immediately” and walked towards Kempei Tai Headquarters."
Uhler was believed to be taken POW at Lae.
References
The Bomber Reef a DVD by Walt Deas covers the exicution of the other B-25 crew, also his research "Death At Amron".
B-25
POW
Death at Amron
5.34
146.16
