USAAF
5th AF
49th FG
9th FS
January 1943
Pilot 1st Lt. Carl G. Planck, Jr., O-390618 (Charleston, SC)
Crashed November 2, 1943
MACR 1016
Mission History
Took off from Dobodura and rendezvoused with B-25s over the Gona Wreck, to escort them over Rabaul, flying up the St. Georges Channel at 100' to try to avoid radar. Then, climbed to 5,000' for a run over the Duke of York Group, then escorted them over Rabaul town. The P-38s made a circle to let the bombers catchup. Afterwards, Planck attacked a Zero fired three bursts and it caught on fire and burst into flames. After turning to return, a Zero made a head on pass, Planck opened fire and observed hits on the attacking plane which stopped firing. He assumed the pilot was dead, and kept firing, intent to explode the plane, and pulled up too late to avoid a collision. The two planes collided, the Zero hitting the P-38s left engine knocking out the oil coolers, damaging the left boom, and left vertical stabilizer. Fighting to keep the plane under control, he dove to avoid other Zeros then ditched between Induna and Talili Point, hitting his head on the bullet proof glass in the landing.
In the water, Planck made it towards shore, observing Zeros strafing another downed plane near Putput. He spotted two local girls and asked them to bring him food and water. They cared for him in their village, and was later joined by Lt. Czarnecki. Later they were taken to Australian coastwatcher party inserted in the area, to join two other Americans also shot down: Gordon Manuel and Owen Giertsen on November 16th. On February 5, 1944 the USS Gato surfaced in Open Bay to rescue the group of downed pilots.
Gordon Manuel writes in 70,000 to One:
"Carl Planck was twenty-six, a little guy who was partially bald. He had been escorting bombers over Rabaul. By a weird coincidence, he landed at the exact spot I did nearly seven months ago. Natives found him, convinced him they were friendly, and took him to Watwat village. Then my boys came along with Czarnecki and they headed for the Australian camp. Carl's foot was in pretty bad shape."
References
Hostages To Freedom mentions Giertsen escape 235 - 237.
70,000 to One mentions when Planck is found, pages 126-127
P-38
