Wrecks in the Philippines

Nathan Milarta · Post by **Nathan Milarta** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:03 am

From reading "Doomed at the Start" there are still several possible wrecks of the 24th PG still around.

My friend Tony from the Philippines stated there are indeed wrecks still there. Only problem is finding them!

I would love for some of these planes to be recovered someday.

VCS1 · Post by **VCS1** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:52 am

I am curious if anything survived in the remote areas. As you know most of the Seversky/Republic P-35A's were sent there and virtually wiped off the map in very short order. Could your friend verify if any wrecks/parts/ pieces may still exist?

pokryshkin · Post by **pokryshkin** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:31 am

If you recall the book "Flying Fortress" by Edward Jablonski, I cannot recall whose B-17C had to be ditched approximately 4 miles off the Phillippine coast after a running fight with A6M Zeros after a bomb run on the Invasion Fleet. This is one aircraft that they ought to send that "titanic" and "Bismark" guy after, for very careful salvage! I cannot recall if any other B-17Bs were ditched around there, but somewhere in the pacific is the either C or D that Captain Eddie Rickenbacker was aboard when it ran out of fuel and had to be ditched. There's a second aircraft for you that would not have any corpses aboard to disturb as a burial site, and a second potentially salvageable airframe. Siorry to speak so bluntly and brutally, but I only just now recalled that second early aircraft. By the way, there is now a second Identified aircraft form the film Air Force: 38-269 "18", in front of which John Ridgely walks along the flight line to Mary Ann; as he speaks to the crew chief, through a gap in the bomb-bay doors to the fuselage can be seen "8269"! I'm astounded that it got past the censor!!

Chris Brame · Post by **Chris Brame** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 6:42 pm

I cannot recall whose B-17C had to be ditched approximately 4 miles off the Phillippine coast...

I think it was then-Lt. Elliott Vandevanter's plane, but my copy of the book isn't here with me.

Another one to find would be C model 40-2054 - accident-reports.com has that one listed as 130 miles off Oahu. Does anyone have the date and details? Baugher just lists it as 5th BG.