Aircraft History
P-40 had the checker board pattern on the tail of the 49th FG.

Pilot History
Flack was from Hatboro, PA. On November 7, 1943 moring four plane mission, he scored his second kill in the Alexishafen area, making an attack on Ki-43 Oscars already airborne.  Flack followed up the attack with awide deflection shot on one of them shooting it down, back on the ground at Guasp he was met with cheering welcome and only one bullet hole in his own plane. Credited with a total of five kills, he survived the war, but was shot down and killed during the Korean War.

Mission History
During a fighter sweep of Wewak, Flack broke formation and went after a Ki-61 Tony, and engaged in a turning dogfight with the fighter, resulting in a high g turn, and a head on attack by both fighters.  Flack's fire hit the fighter, killing the pilot and and the Tony crashed into the water in a shallow dive. Flack's wingman was Lt Jim Reynolds, confirmed this kill. But, the Tony had hit his cooling system, and his oil pressure was rising. Calling for his wing men, they lost each other in overcast.  His radio calls were heard at base, and crash landed his crippled plane in a kunai field near the Sogram River north-east of Siniap, in Japanese held territory. Knocked out and arm broken in the crash, he awoke and exited the cockpit before the plane caught fire and exploded. Flack had force landed above the Ramu valley, near Tauta in New Guinea, about 60 miles from Gusap

Rescue of Flack
L-5's of the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 25th Liaison Squadron (Guinea Short Lines), based at Gusap were sent to locate and attempt a rescue of the pilot.

First L-5 Crashes
L-5 42-98066 flown by M/Sgt Eugene Salternik spotted the buring P-40, and spotted an open field to land, about a mile from the crash site. As he was about to land, he discovered it was covered in tall kunai grass, that flipped over his plane, and broke his propeller, but was unhurt in the crash.

Australian Commando Parachuted In
The next morning, L-5's from Gusap returned, dropped supplies and equipment, and told the two men on the ground to stay put.  2/7th Commando Company Australian commando, Lt Hector Hestbridge volunteered to be parachuted into the site via another L-5.  The jump was Hestbridge's first time parachuting, and the flight only his second in an airplane. Linking up with Salitrnik, they found Flack the next day, and the three men spent the next two days preppairing an airstrip for an L-5 to land.

Two more L-5's Lands
The next day, February 21, 1944 S/Sgt James Nichols landed L-5 42-98085, but the rough strip damaged his plane beyond repair. Another L-5 pilot was SGT Thomas Stallone successfully landed at the clearing, but was unable to take off carrying any additional passengers.  He took off solo and and was forced to fly away.

Jungle Trek & Rescue
The 71st TRS decided no more planes could be risked, and the four men on the ground, lead by Hestbridge would have to walk 35 miles in dense jungle towards where they could rendezvous with an Australian patrol.  Returning L-5's were unable to locate the group on the ground once they set off, and after several days, all the men on the ground were declared 'Missing In Action', and the search abandoned. After ten days in the jungle, on March 3rd, the group ran out of food, forcing them to scrounge nuts and fish from the jungle and streams. On March 10th they finally met a friendly Australian patrol, that were following Japanese troops who were also searching for the men. They were taken to a shelter and then evacuated back to Gusap in a RAAF Walrus, all had malaria, and had lost 20-35 pounds each. Afterwards, the Henstridge was awarded an American Distinguished Service Cross, and the two L-5 pilots, Salternik and Nichols were awarded the Silver Star for their parts in saving P-40 pilot Nelson Flack. Flack got a Purple Heart for his injuries, and an Air Medal for the confirmed kill over the Tony. Flack returned to duty on March 12, 1944.

Wreckage
In 1946, a RAAF Searcher Team visited the wreckage on May 18, 1946, and noted the serial number, and that traces of the green and white checkerboard patter on the tail was still present (markings of 49th FG). The P-40 was burned around the cockpit and engine, but had otherwise made a good crash landing. Also, they discovered L-5 42-98066. In 2004, the wreck was rediscovered thru the research of John Douglas.

Salvage
In early June it was recovered by Robert Greinert / HARS and Murry Griffith / Precision Aerospace.  The engine and one wing was removed from the crash site, and flown to Madang where it is in storage, awaiting export to Australia.  A portion of the tail was taken back to Australia at the time of the recovery.

Restoration
This aircraft was sold to Gus Larard who is restoring it to flying status.

References
Thanks to John Douglas for photos, and his article, "The Nelson Flack Incident".  Thanks to Phil Bradley for Henstridge's photo and records, located at AWM. The article "Skeletons in the Grass - An Epic WWII Rescue" (Ghost Wings Magazine Issue 12 by John Douglas & Justin Taylan) also tells the story of this incident. Protect Avenge page 216 describes his second kill.

Contribute Information

P-40

Photo Archive

Flack Incident by John Douglas

49th FG
MSGT Greg Henneman

Jungle Rescue