Wartime History
Crashed on Biak Island.

Discovery
In September 2000, it was reported that villagers discovered the wreckage of a Japanese fighter plane that crashed during World War II. Yusup Rumaropen, a local official, yesterday said a Japanese service pistol and a wristwatch belonging to the pilot were also found within the wreckage of the plane.

Elliot Smock reports:
"I saw this aircraft. It is an Oscar and she went in vertically. The whole aircraft is smashed. The Oscar picture here was described by local people as intact - unfortunately, it most defiantly is not! The author is seen combing thorough the clay for human remains. Local people have gathered many of the pilots bones which are mostly from the arm and shoulder and many are intact, but many bone fragments were present which correlate to the force of the impact which shattered him and his aircraft. A local man who runs a local museum found the pilots identity tag some years ago an now uses it as a key ring which is quite reprehensible. Unfortunately, little attempt is ever made to contact US or Japanese authorities unless local people can be sure of being paid handsomely and this has led to some ugly incidents in recent years."

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Ki-43

Japanese
Fighter
Discovered