Page 40 - World Airnews Magazine April 2020 Edition

HISTORY

THREE US AIRCRAFT FOUND

76 YEARS LATER

roject Recover, a non-profit that
Psearches for those missing in acti on
since World War II, has found three of the
missing aircraft which include two SBD-5

Dauntless dive bombers and one TBM/F-1
Avenger torpedo bomber, according to the
University of Delaware.
The last time anyone saw these military

aircraft, US forces were pummelling Japa-
nese targets in the western Pacific during

World War II.

"Operation Hailstone" in February 1944
was a decisive victory for the US. But it
came at a cost to American forces - 40 ser-
vice members were killed and more than 20

aircraft were lost.
Many families had no answers on their
loved ones' exact whereabouts for gen-
erations.

Now Project Recover, a non-profit that and their families in protecting our free- country spread across more than 600 small

searches for those missing in action since doms," Project Recover co-founder Mark islands in the western Pacific.

World War II, has found three of the miss- Moline said, according to the University But it's too early to say if or when the
ing aircraft. of Delaware. seven crew members associated with the

The downed aircraft include two SBD-5 Moline is also the director of the School three aircraft might be recovered.

Dauntless dive bombers and one TBM/F-1 of Marine Science and Policy at the Univer- Researchers are "now assembling reports
Avenger torpedo bomber, according to the sity of Delaware. for review by the U.S. government to
University of Delaware. Researchers from the school and from potentially set into motion a process for re-

"While the discovery of these sites is ex- the Scripps Institution of Oceanography covering and identifying the remains of up

hilarating and validating, these feelings are partnered with Project Recover to discover to seven crew members," Project Recover's

mixed with the humbling emotions of the the three aircraft 100 to 215 feet below lead archaeologist Andrew Pietruszka said,

sacrifices made by these service members the surface of the ocean in Micronesia, a according to the University of Delaware. Q
MILITARY
MILITARY APPROVES WWII AIRCRAFT
TRANSPORT TO PEARL HARBOR
The transport of the vintage planes to honour this important milestone,”
will be conducted by air force cargo Esper said.

he US military has authorised planes or ships including an aircraft Elissa Lines, executive director of the

Tthe transport of World War carrier or other flattop vessels, offi- Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, said
cials said.

II aircraft on government ships and Defence secretary Mark Esper said he 19 aircraft owners so far have applied

to participate.
planes for use in the 75th anniversary wants a co-ordinated effort for a ‘lift of

The aircraft include a B-25 Mitchell

commemoration of the end of the war opportunity’ to bring the planes to the bomber, A-26 Invader, SBD Dauntless dive

officials said. commemoration. bomber, P-40 Warhawk, TBF Avenger tor-

Up to 24 privately owned aircraft will “As we approach the 75th anniversary pedo bomber, P-51 Mustang, F4F Wildcat,

be transported to Oahu for the events of V-J Day on Sept. 2, 2020, I am encour- C-47 transport, PBY Catalina, F-8 Bearcat,
between Aug 29 and Sept 2. aging all services to seek opportunities and T-6 Texan, she said. Q

World Airnews | April 2020
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