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    Bootless Bay (Bootless Inlet) Central Province Papua New Guinea (PNG)
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Justin Taylan 2007
Location
Bootless Bay (Bootless Inlet) is located on the southern coast of New Guinea. Named Bootless Bay for its deceptively shallow depth. The northwestern corner is known as Oyster Bay. Borders Pyramid Point to the southwest and Morris Hill (Zero Hill). To the west is Port Moresby (Town). Offshore are several small islands including Lion Island (Manunouha, Manu), Loloata Island and Motupare Island and several coral reefs and patches.

Wartime History
During 1942, the U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment (less company E) temporary bivouac at Bootless Inlet, before moving to Kapa Kapa (Gabagaba) and crossing the Kapa Kapa Trail.

Today
The northeastern corner of Bootless Bay is used as a boat marina.

P-40E Warhawk (Wing)
Wing only, remained on the beach until at least the late 1970s.

A6M2 Model 21 Zero
Piloted by Nagatomo crashed February 28. 1942 this was the first Zero shot down over Port Moresby.

P-40E Warhawk Serial Number 41-5313
Pilot Wesley ditched November 2, 1942 into Bootless Bay.

B-17F Flying Fortress Serial Number 41-24550
Pilot Hocutt ditched December 14, 1942 into Bootless Bay.

A-20A "Cindy" Serial Number 40-176
Pilot Richardson ditched March 5, 1943 into Bootless Bay and salvaged during the war.

A-20A "Strawberry Roan" Serial Number 40-173
Pilot Langley ditched April 22, 1943 into Bootless Bay remains in situ underwater.

P-70 Havoc Serial Number 39-790
Pilot Hornaday MIA May 7, 1943 near the entrance to Bootless Bay.

B-24D "Joltin' Janie" Serial Number 42-40065
Pilot Povlsen ditched September 9, 1943 into Bootless Bay.

B-24D Liberator Serial Number 42-40670
Pilot Blount ditched October 18, 1943 into Bootless Bay.

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Last Updated
September 8, 2022

 

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