USAAF
5th AF
Elliot
Smock 2000
Mission History
The pilot of this P-39 bailed out successfully
according to local people over northern Biak. His aircraft
smashed into the hard coral limestone that forms the back
of the northern hills of Biak.
Elliot
Smock reports:
"Several M2 Brownings are
still on site as well as parts of the smashed Allison engine,
armor plate and undercarriage parts. Trekking out to this
aircraft took several hours in monsoon conditions. It was
here that I slipped and cut my leg on a coral outcrop.
This wound, although small soon developed into the early stages
of a tropical ulcer and it did not heal properly until
I got back to the UK. Moral: Do not wear shorts in the jungle!"
P-39
