PACIFIC  WRECK  DATABASE
Wreck News & Updates - July Update 2005
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1. EDITORIAL
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Welcome to a new wreck update.  Check out the summer air show photos. This month's update includes amazing articles.  David Mason's research and explorations related to the crash site of Thomas McGuire, America's 2nd highest ace of WWII, who crashed in a P-38 Lightning on Negros Island, Philippines.  Also, Richard Dunn's new research piece on the Japanese airfield at Wakde Island, Dutch New Guinea.  Plus, News and reviews from across the Pacific and long time contributor John Douglas.

Yours in history,

Justin Taylan
email - justin@wanpela.com
PacifcWrecks.com | PacificGhosts.com

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2.  WRECKS
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The Search for the Crash Site of Major Thomas McGuire
by David Mason
This is the story of the final mission of America's 2nd highest scoring ace, who crashed and died on January 7, 1945.  Mason researched this single action meticulously, including the Japanese side.  He located the crash site himself on Negros Island, Philippines and interviewed Filipino people who witnessed the crash. Kudos David Mason.

Dakota Expedition To C-47 A65-61
From May 23 - June 6, 2005, a joint RAAF and Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) team traveled to the region last month as part of "Exercise Dakota Recovery". ". The mission, conducted in extreme climatic conditions, recovered all the remains as well as some personal effects of the passengers and crew. A formal military funeral is planned for burial of the remains in Port Moresby Later this year

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3.  HISTORY & EXPLORATIONS
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JPAC Missing In Action News
The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command has two current news releases: MIA Search Team Deploys to China in search of a heavy bomber, several P-51 wrecks and a P-40 wreck.  Also, news that two Buna battlefield MIAs Pvt. Clifford North and Pfc. Francisco A. Olguin, were assigned to Company I, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, when they engaged enemy forces near the Buna who were killed by enemy fire on or about Dec. 2, 1942. They were recovered in 1995 have been identified and will be returned to their families this May 2005. There are more than 78,000 MIA's from World War II.

Japanese Operations at Wakde Island
by Richard Dunn
In a continuation of his superb research series related to the Japanese Army Air Force in the Pacific, Dunn turns his research to Wakde Island, and presents a comprehensive report about the story of its construction and usage and air operations by the Japanese.

Papuan Wreck Diary
by John Douglas
PacificWreck.com longest running column.  This month, John recounts travels to Lae area, and a visit to PNG by aviation author Larry Hickey (Warpath Across the Pacific) and revisits wrecks around the Wewak area.

Author Ron Werneth
by John Douglas
Ron Werneth passion for history drove him to live and work in Japan, in order to meet Japanese naval aviators and learn about their experiences. Werneth's forthcoming book "Beyond Pearl Harbor: The Untold stories of Japan’s Navy Airmen" will pay tribute to these aviators. He is also author of numberous aviation related articles.

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4.  REVIEWS - Pacific WWII Related Books
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View all WWII Pacific Book, Magazine and Video Reviews a comprehensive source for all the best Pacific related references and reading. Have a book related to WWII Pacific to recommend? Write a review and add it to the archive. This month's update focuses on new DVDs and multimedia releases.

Cameras Over The Pacific
by John Bishop. While Marine Corps aviation is famous for its fighter pilots and ground support roles, it is not widely known that the USMC had a photographic reconnaissance squadrons during WWII. Their story is an important part of history, but until now has been overlooked. This unit flew B-24s in the Pacific over targets including Yap, Truk and New Ireland, while based on Bougainville and Emirau.

Meatballs and Dead Birds
by James P. Gallagher. The book explores the oral history of the islands, with interviews divided into five chapters, covering topics including: being behind Japanese lines, scouting and fighting on Santa Isabel, in the thick of fighting, Malaita Guadalcanal labor corps, Massina Rule. The book is also unique for being published in both tok pidgin and english. Accompanied by maps, photos and appendixes.

The Big Death
by Geofrey White. The book explores the oral history of the islands, with interviews divided into five chapters, covering topics including: being behind Japanese lines, scouting and fighting on Santa Isabel, in the thick of fighting, Malaita Guadalcanal labor corps, Massina Rule. The book is also unique for being published in both tok pidgin and english. Accompanied by maps, photos and appendixes.

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5.  Pacific WWII - Links of the Month
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Great links related to WWII Pacific, submitted by users of the Pacific Wreck Database site. Do you know of a good Pacific related website? Email the URL for inclusion in our comprehensive list of links!

4.2 Inch Mortars | Motor Gunboats in the Pacific
4.2 inch mortar LCVPs

# # # End of Wreck News June 26, 2005 # # #

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