|
Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
USAAF 5th AF 8th FG 80th FS |
Pilot Captain Francis M. Potts, O-380475 (MIA / KIA) TX MIA September 6, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number AP359 and painted in a three-color camouflage scheme. Instead, delivered to the U.S. Army. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 80th Fighter Squadron (80th FS) "The Headhunters". No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On September 6, 1942 between 10:20am–11:30am took off from 12 Mile Drome (Berry) near Port Moresby piloted by Captain Francis M. Potts armed with 100 pount bombs as one of eight Airacobras flying in four plane element "Charlie Red". Over Lake Myola, Airacobras from "Charlie Red" and "Charlie Green" bombed and strafed Japanese held areas. Captain Potts bailed out at a low altitude over Lake Myola #2 and was seen to land safely but no trace of him was ever found. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Fates of the Crew Although Potts bailed out at a low altitude over Lake Myola #2 and was seen to land safely, no trace of him was ever found. Possibly, his remains were found by the Australian Army and buried in the Owen Stanley Range. Wreckage During July 1981, this aircraft was located by PNG Defense Force (PNGDF) personnel on the southern side of Lake Myola No. 2. Memorials Potts was officially declared dead on December 3, 1945. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. He also has a memorial marker at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, TX at block 7, lot 27. References Joe Baugher "Airacobra I for RAF, P-400" "AP359/360 to USAAF" National Archives Frame 1351 A0759 History of the 80FS National Archives microfilm 1065 Y3 eyewitness report of safe landing of Captain Potts beside a creek on Lake Myola 80th Fighter Squadron diary "Captain Potts was flying as part of a four element "Charlie Red" between 10:20 - 11:30 am hours. 'Charlie Red' and 'Green' flights dive bombed with 100 lb bombs, then strafed the Japanese held area around Lake Myola. Captain Potts bailed out at a low altitude over Lake Myola #2 and was seen to land safely." Col. Dick Legg diary - September 5, 1942 Raided Buna. Nothing on the field. Lost Jackson (Smoky). Played bridge with Hayes, Marwester and Glover. Potts jumped between "Nips and Aussies." Attack and Conquer page 83 "The 80th flew its dive bombing mission on the next day when it attacked Myola Lake. Unfortunately, Captain Francis Potts went down in the area and it was believed that he was captured and killed. Most 80th pilots mentally crossed off chances of surviving in enemy territory. " PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-400 Airacobra AP 359 Pending Cases Australian New Guinea (Search Areas 73-77-78 & 81) "A/C crashed near Kokoda. Pilot buried near crest of Owen Stanley [range] in Kokoda Pass." American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Francis M. Potts FindAGrave - CPT Francis Morgan Potts (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - CPT Francis Morgan Potts (memorial marker photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
P-400 MIA 1 Missing Dataplate |
Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|