9 JUNE 1944
CRASH OF AN A-20G HAVOC
BETWEEN CAIRNS & PORT MORESBY
POSSIBLY IN THE CORAL SEA

A-20G Havoc, #43-21413, "Father's Fantasy", of the 388th Squadron of the 312th Bomb Group, USAAF was never heard from again after leaving Cairns for Port Moresby on 9 June 1944. Believed to be lost somewhere between Cairns and Port Moresby most likely in the Coral Sea.

NOTE:-  Peter Nielsen's book "Diary of WWII - North Queensland" indicates that the Havoc was #43-21419 rather than #43-21413. An Aircraft Crash list on the AWM site (see References below) has an A20G Boston #43-21415 (a third different serial no?) crashing between Cairns and Port Moresby on 9 June 1944.

Robert Hornbeck gave me the following information on 30 August 1999:-

In "The Forgotten Fifth", Michael Claringbould lists the A-20G-40 with serial number 43-21413 and the the name "Father's Fantasy" as belonging to the 388th Squadron of the 312th BG. In Russ Sturzebecker's book "The Roarin' 20's" (a history of the 312th Bomb Group), the only A-20 lost on the date in question was one being ferried from Cairns, Australia to Milne Bay by 1st Lt. Bill O'Connor and crew chief T/Sgt. Jack Gibson of the 389th Squadron. Since it was a replacement aircraft, it wasn't necessarily ferried by members of the same squadron to which it was assigned. Unfortunately, Sturzebecker does not give the tail number or the name of the plane they flew. He only gives the terse comment "Overdue and having no communication from them, the plane was never located."

I'm afraid this doesn't clear up the uncertainties about the identity of the plane, but that is the only information I have. Bob Hornbeck

REFERENCE BOOKS

"Diary of WWII - North Queensland"
Complied by Peter Nielsen

Rampage of the Roarin' 20's The Illustrated History of the 312th Bombardment Group during World War II Lawrence J. Hickey Michael H. Levy with Michael J. Claringbould

SOURCE:-   Aircraft Crash Sites - Australia

Crash:         No. 1

Position:     16.53 - 145.45

Department of Aviation Chart No:       3219

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 14 June 1999

This page last updated 23 February 2025