USAAF
5th AF
3rd BG
8th BS
Pilot William H. Webster (Hinsdale, IL)
Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Robert Widener (Boston, MA)
Navigator Captain Francis J. Murphy (Boston, MA)
Engineer Alfredo Davis (Detroit, MI) (KIA)
Radio Lawrence Allport (Salem, OR)
Ditched July 9, 1943 at 8:20am local
Pilot History
Webster flew a complete tour of duty in the south Pacific, ending his tour with the November 2, 1943 mission against Rabaul. Webster retired as a Brigadier General. On October 12, 1990, Webster met Japanese pilot Katsuake Kira who shot down his B-25 on July 9, 1943. The research for the meeting was arranged by Larry Hickey | IR&P and Dr. Izawa of Japan.
Mission History
Took off on a single plane mission from Dobodura area at 6:30am on a weather mission. The mission was planned to fly up the coast abeam of Salamaua, cut north-east across the Huon Gulf, then to Finachafen and then back to Nassau Bay, total flight time estimated at 4 hours.
After reaching the Salamaua area, the B-25 starting the leg across the Huon Gulf. Around 8:15am they were intercepted by Ki-43 Oscars of the 24th Sentai. In the initial pass, the top turret gunner was killed, leaving the bomber defenseless. The fighters disabled one engine and caused a fire, forcing it to loose altitude and go into a turn. The B-25 was shot down by the Ki-43 Oscar piloted by Sgt Maj Katsuake Kira. The bomber crash landed in the sea off Salamaua. The dead crew member went down with the bomber.
The other members of thy crew survived, and swam towards an island, which they reached and were later met by an Australian coastwatcher, Sgt Pomeroy. They were taken to the mainland aboard a native canoe.Soon afterwards, they were evacuated by US Navy LCI to a hospital ship back to Oro Bay, where they later rejoined their squadron.
References
"The Milk Run That Turned Sour" by William H. Webster
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information
B-25
