Mission History
This was the lead aircraft of three that took off from Vunakanau Airfield at 7:30am, to Munda Airfield to pickup fighter pilots of the 252nd Kokutai, and transport them back to their base at Kahili Airfield (Buin). Escorted by nine Zeros, the bombers flew over Buin at 9:45.

Just prior to landing, the formation was intercepted by two 70th Fighter Squadron P-39 Airacobras over the Munda area on a reconnaissance mission. The Airacobras evaded the Zero escort and dove on the Nells making their approach to land.

One of the Airacobras, piloted by Lt. Rex Barber forgot to jettison his drop tank, and began to fire at the lead bomber. He scored hits and caused it to crash into the water off Munda Point, three of the crew were wounded, two seriously. The two P-39s departed and Barber claimed one Nell shot down.

Wreckage
The aircraft remains off Munda, and is well known to locals and divers. Misidentified as a Betty bomber, the history of this wreck was unknown previously.

Justin Taylan adds
"I dove this site in April 2006, and was amazed to find some of the cockpit perspex still intact on the cockpit 'clam shell' hatches. In 2007, I met the pilot Keizo Kondo and interviewed him twice."

The nose and fuselage section are damaged from the ditching. No armament is present. The dive site has generally poor water visibility.

References
Kodochosho, 701st Kokutai, December 28, 1942
Haran No Sora Ni Ikite by Keizo Kondo
Thanks to Yoji Sakaida, Jim Sawruk and Ewan Stevenson for additional information.

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Last Updated
October 9, 2009

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