Thomas Harbaugh Roberts
MilitaryPilot P-39Q 42-19949
On January 12, 1944 took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby at 10:32 for a local flight. This aircraft was last seen headed inland with a one hour supply of fuel. When it failed to return it was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). It is possible that he was en route to Shaggy Ridge to drop candy and cigarette to the Australian soldiers on the ground that he had served with previously.
Reportedly, this wreck was located post war and his remains buried at the site by the Australian Army. The exact location of the wreck is not noted in their report.
KIA, MACR 2287.
Connections
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Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-39 Airacobra
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Died |
Shaggy Ridge, Papua New Guinea | 12 January 1944 | On January 12, 1944 took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby at 10:32 for a local flight. This aircraft was last seen headed inland with a one hour supply of fuel. When it failed to return it was listed as Missing In Action (MIA). It is possible that he was en route to Shaggy Ridge to drop candy and cigarette to the Australian soldiers on the ground that he had served with previously. KIA, MACR 2287. |
| Grand County, CO, USA | Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado, USA. | ||
|
Other Assigned |
Durand Airfield, Papua New Guinea | Assigned to 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, 5th Air Force. | |
|
Buried |
Manila American Cemetery & Memorial, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines | Tablets of the missing at the Manila American Cemetery. | |
|
Other Posted to Pacific |
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | Posted to Pacific, November 1943. | |
|
Other Attached Australian Troops |
Colonel David "Photo" Hutchison was one of General Kenney's top airmen in the Pacific and worked particularly closely with the Australians. He arranged for Tommy to be attached to the Australian 2/16th Battalion on Shaggy Ridge. He fought alongside the Aussies and took part in the pivotal battle for the Pimple. |
Revisions
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbmacr.asp?MACR=2287 MACR bare bones.
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-39/42-19949.html Pilots Details / Incident background.