IJN
751st Kokutai
PNG
Museum 1982
1982 via Bob Piper
Tail Gunner 3rd
Class P.O. Otani Mitsuru
Crashed April 12, 1943
Aircraft
History
Built by Mitsubishi at Nagoya during March 1943. This aircraft had a hinomaru with a white box border, and
tail number 378.
Mission
History
After the Japanese
air raid of April 12, 1943 against Port
Moresby, this Betty was shot
down and crashed into the southern face of Mount Albert Edward
East Dome at 9,500'. It is likely that 39th FS pilot Richard E.
Smith flying P-38 "Japanese Sandman" shot this aircraft down, as
he claimed a Betty bomber over Mt. Albert Edward.
Wreckage
The wreckage of the tail of this aircraft was discovered by Joe Hill
in November 1982. Locals told a story about how tail gunner
survived the crash and was trapped inside the tail calling out. Frighten
by the crash, they ran away and he died of his wounds inside the wreck. After
the wreck was reported, the Japanese Minitstry of Health & Welfare
visited the crash site, with the PNG
Museum curator
Bruce Hoy, to recover the remains of the tail gunner still
at the site. The 20mm tail cannon was recovered from the wreck
and brought to the the museum for display.
Recovery
The tail gunner's 20mm cannon and ammunition drum were recovered
to the PNG Museum collection.
References
Thanks to Bruce Hoy for assistance with this profile.
Betty
