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| USAAF 5th AF 43rd BG 403rd BS  Hansen June 1943  403rs BS June 1943  Buchanan July 11, 1943 |
Pilot Captain William R. Gowdy (survived) Butler County, OH Co-Pilot 1st Lt George A. Putnam (survived) Navigator 1st Lt John A. McMahon (survived) Bombardier 1st Lt Walter E. Buchanan, Jr., O-726120 (survived) Ardmore, OK Student Navigator 2nd Lt Albert R. Steward (survived) Engineer TSgt George W. Powell (survived) Radio Operator TSgt Wesley D. Cowan, 13037737 (survived) Asst Radio Operator TSgt Harold R. Peterson (survived) Waist Gunner SSgt Paul R. McNight (survived) Tail Gunner SSgt Bruce O. Yawn (survived) Crashed July 11, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Consolidated at San Diego using funds F-1 order number W535-AC-24620 at a cost of $297,627.00. Constructors Number 1137. On December 15, 1942 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-24D-30-CO Liberator serial number 42-40060. This bomber had a greenhouse nose. On February 5, 1943 arrives Topeka Army Air Field. On March 7, 1943 arrives Hickam Field. On March 25, 1943 departs overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. On April 5, 1943 arrives "LEFT" (code name for New Guinea). The lower Sperry ball turret removed according to 5th Air Force specifications. Wartime History On May 31, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 43rd Bombardment Group (43rd BG) "Ken's Men", 403rd Bombardment Squadron (403rd BS) as one of the first four B-24s assigned. Assigned to pilot Captain William R. Gowdy with crew chief Lahti. Nicknamed "The Champ" in reference to the Hollywood movie The Champ (1931) with the nose art of a brown boxing glove outlined in yellow with lighting bolts to the front. A scoreboard was painted below the pilot's window with at least nine bomb markings, some with a star above indicating bombing missions flown. On June 10, 1943 took off from 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) pilot unknown on a bombing mission against Rabaul. On June 25, 1943 took off piloted by Brecht from 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) on a mission. When lost, engines R-1830-43 serial numbers 42-42675, 42-42156, 42-42355 and 42-43185. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. Likely armed with several .30 caliber machine guns makers and serial numbers unknown. Mission History On July 11, 1943 at 12:20am took off from 7 Mile Drome (Jackson) near Port Moresby piloted by Captain William R. Gowdy as one of four B-24s including three from the 64th Bombardment Squadron (64th BS) on a night bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. Aboard was 2nd Lt Albert A. Steward, a student navigator flying his first combat mission. Shortly after take off, this B-24 began to pull up before it had achieved enough airspeed and as the landing gear retracted bounced off the runway slightly damaging the landing gear and a loss of hydraulic fluid and leaving one leg extended and damaged the bomb bay doors. Unable to continue on the mission, the crew attempted to lower the other landing gear manually but it failed to extend, even when manually cranked. Pilot Gowdy flew south over the sea and salvoed the bomb load then circled 7-Mile Drome for hours to burn off fuel while the crew worked to extend the jammed landing gear. Unable to lower it, he ordered the crew to bail out. After the entire crew bailed out safely, the unmanned B-24 circled and nearly hit Gowdy as he descended in his parachute then crashed roughly 1 and a half miles northeast of 7 Mile Drome. Officially written off as a non-combat accident (COMAFMSC) on July 14, 1943. Fates of the Crew The entire crew successfully bailed out and landed unhurt in the vicinity and immediately returned to base. Thirty minutes after bailing out, the entire crew was photographed smiling and holding their "D" rings from parachuting. Wreckage During the 1980s, the crash site was surveyed by National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) / PNG Museum modern history curator Bruce Hoy who located the constructors number on part of the fuselage adjacent to the life raft compartment stowage area and the engine cowling. Also, traces of the serial number visible on both tail fins. This crash site is located near the Granville Speedway which is/was located to the northeast of Jacksons Airport. Relatives Walter "Buck" Buchanan, Buchanan, III (son of Walter E. Buchanan) References Note, some sources incorrectly list this B-24 as crashed near Bootless Bay at 2:00am. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - William R. Gowdy NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Walter E. Buchanan NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Wesley D. Cowan NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Bruce O. Yawn Individual Aircraft Record Card (IARC) B-24D Liberator 42-40060 USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-24D-30-CO Liberator 42-40060 "40060 condemned accident non-combat Jul 14, 1943" U.S. Army Air Force Accident Report - B-24D 42-40060 (Accident No. 445 11-507) created August 11, 1943 (Page 1) "Nature Group: Take Off / Specific Nature: Stalled with out engine failure / Underlying Nature: Misuse of controls / Cause Group: Technique / Specific Cause: Momentary lack of proficiency / Underlying Cause: General lack of alertness." (Page 5) Pilot's Narrative Report of B-24D, 42-40060 plane crashed 11 July, 1943 by Captain William R. Gowdy "On take-off the airplane rose about 10 fee and was in a normal climb according to flight and engine instruments as observed by pilot, co-pilot and engineer. Wheels had started to retract when airplane hit ground at end of runway severely damaging left landing gear and dragging rear half of fuselage for about 50 feet. The ship was finally lifted clear and proceeded on course." Lt Walter E. Buchanan Flight Log July 11, 1943 via Walter "Buck" Buchanan, Jr. "11-Jul-1943 - B-24D - 8 hours - C [combat] - PM crash - left main wheel jammed. All personnel parachuted safely." PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-24D Liberator 42-40060 43rd Bomb Group Association Newsletter “Ripcord for a Beer” by Walter "Buck" Buchanan, Jr. Ken’s Men Against The Empire Volume 1 (2019) pages 218 (profile 16 artwork), 223 (Profile 16 detail), 242-244 (July 11, 1943 mission) 243 (crew photo), 364-365 (Profile 16), index does not list this bomber by nickname Ken’s Men Against The Empire Volume II (2019) pages 377 (42-40060 / 403rd BS), 382 (photo), index does not list this bomber by nickname Thanks to Bruce Hoy and Walter "Buck" Buchanan, III for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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