Pacific Wrecks

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

PV-1 Ventura Bureau Number 49507

USN
VB-136

Ralph Wetterhorn 2003

Pilot J. R. Cowles (interned, survived)
Crew Panella (interned, survived)
Crew Parker (interned, survived)
Crew Toney (interned, survived)
Gunner John R. McDonald (interned, survived)
Force Landed August 20, 1944

Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed in Burbank, CA. Delivered to the U. S. Navy (USN) to squadron VB-136. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On August 20, 1944 took off on a bombing mission against the Kurile Islands. Returning from the mission, this bomber crash landed on the Kamchatka Peninsula .

Fates of the Crew
The crew was interned in the the Soviet Union. After the war, they were repatriated to the United States.

Wreckage
The wreckage of this aircraft remains in situ including both engines and propellers. The center section is burned out.

References
PBS/NOVA Last Flight of Bomber 31 includes footage of this aircraft wreck
The Last Flight of Bomber 31 page 297
Thanks to Craig Rothhammer for additional information

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Last Updated
May 17, 2018

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