Update: B-25C 41-12470 lost 7/26/1942 in PNG

Details about those listed as missing or killed in the Pacific, including current search operations.

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wmccollum
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Update: B-25C 41-12470 lost 7/26/1942 in PNG

Post by wmccollum »

B-25Cs 41-12470 and 41-12792 of the 3rd BG were shot down within 5 minutes of each other in the vicinity of Buna, PNG on the morning of July 26, 1942. All crew of 41-12470 were believed lost and the pilot and turret gunner of 41-12792 survived. At war's end all missing were declared dead. Despite US records indicating wreck and remains from 41-12470 were "unrecoverable" Australian records prove the remains of the aircraft's Australian co-pilot, and three u/i sets of remains, were recovered in May 1943 near the village of Isoge. I am the nephew of the turret gunner on board the 470, Cpl Walter N. Cook, Jr. I've provided a DNA reference sample in hopes that the three u/i sets of remains can be located in Hawaii. The co-pilot's casualty file contained much useful information that led me to the records of the 15th Australian Graves Registration and Enquiry Unit, which the National Archives of Australia is copying to send to me. I'm also searching for the records of the US graves unit that found the remains. I'll post updates as I have them

wmccollum
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Re: Update: B-25C 41-12470 lost 7/26/1942 in PNG

Post by wmccollum »

I have no additional information about the identification of remains of the four crew members still missing and presumed dead. However, a post I made about five years ago resulted this week in my establishing contact with twin daughters and grandsons of the RAAF co-pilot of 41-12470, F/O Edward T. Mobsby. They are very interested in any information about their father/grandfather and are sharing what information they have.

PF
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Re: Update: B-25C 41-12470 lost 7/26/1942 in PNG

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wwmccollum
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Re: Update: B-25C 41-12470 lost 7/26/1942 in PNG

Post by wwmccollum »

Additional information: In May 2009 I sent what details I have of the location of the wreckage of 41-12470 to JPAC and heard nothing for almost 18 months. In late October 2010 I sent a follow-up e-mail and yesterday I received a positive response. In August/September 2009 JPAC sent an investigation team to New Guinea to follow up on several leads, including the one I provided. They did find wreckage believed to be 41-12470. Now the resutls of that visit are in a queue to evaluate for a follow-on trip by an excavation team that will look for remains. I was asked by JPAC to provide an additional information I have. The key document is a May 1943 report by the US graves registration unit that found the wreckage and recovered four sets of remains, one of which was positively identified as the Australian co-pilot of the aircraft. JPAC believes that the other three sets of remains were most likely removed from a temporary burial site after the war and taken to Fort McKinley in Manila for reburial there. I have provided my mitochondrial DNA to match against those remains if they are found, as well as against any that might yet be recovered by JPAC. The process is a slow one, but progress is being made.

GREG WILLIAMS
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Re: Update: B-25C 41-12470 lost 7/26/1942 in PNG

Post by GREG WILLIAMS »

Can you provide the Australian National Archives reference to the 15th Australian Graves Registration and Enquiry Unit. I have been trying to locate the Graves Units records, particularly for PNG but have not had much luck to date.
Greg Williams
Canberra
Australia

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