Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
  P-38G-13-LO Lightning Serial Number 43-2215  
USAAF
5th AF
49th FG
9th FS

Pilot  1st Lt. Robert E. Douglas (survived)
Force Landed  February 20, 1943
MACR  none

Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38G-13-LO Lightning serial number 43-2215. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights". No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On February 20, 1943 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. Robert E. Douglas on an escort mission over Gasmata. Returning, this P-38 and two others became lost and force landed on the beach at Huiva Plantation, roughly 200 miles to the northwest of Port Moresby. Also force landed were P-38G Lightning 42-12863 piloted by Lidstrom and P-38G Lightning 42-12866 piloted by Bauhof.

Fate of the Pilot
Afterwards, all three pilots were rescued and returned to duty.

Wreckage
Afterwards, the U.S. Army salvaged two of the three P-38 Lightnings and transported them back to Port Moresby aboard a barge.

References
]PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-38 Lightning piloted by Douglas 20 February 1943
Aviation Archeology - P-38G 43-2215
Thanks to Keith Hopper 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
March 20, 2024

 

Technical Info
P-38
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram