Aircraft History
This P-40 was bound for the RAF and assigned serial number ET819. Instead, diverted to USAAF and assigned to the 49th Fighter Group, 8th Fighter Squadron.

Mission History
Took off at 6:30 from 3-Mile Drome near Port Moresby, part of a formation of 16 P-40's from the 8th Fighter Squadron escorting A-20s attacking Lae. At approximately 0745 contact was made with 8 to 10 A6M2 Zeros southwest of Lae. Lt. Wohlford was last seen trailing smoke and a pair of Zeros on his tail.

In the ensuing action, Lt Dennis saw a P-40 type aircraft in a dive with two Zeros on its tail. Lt Dennis (the flight leader) did not recognize the person in the cockpit and he did not see the plane crash.

The flight returned to base at approximately 0914 and it was discovered that Lt Wohlford was missing.

Memorials
Wohlford was officially declared dead on December 9, 1945. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery.

References
History 49FG

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

P-40

MIA