P-MAN II - 3               

V. P-MAN II Expedition: Proposed Trip Agenda and Goals (at Initiation)

Dates: 7-24 October 2000

6 October: Bay area team travels by van to LA (to carry magnetometer and gear).

7 Oct: Travel To Palau. Upon arrival, dependent on circumstances, 1) connect with Dr. Don Shuster, U of Guam and coordinate on investigation of gravesite(s), containing possible US airmen, 2) rent Cessna for flyover of Babeldaob/Koror sites under investigation, and/or 3) set up Neco Marine boat for GPS/magnetometer/depth finder and calibrate equipment over Jake crash site (~40 feet deep off northern Arakabesan) and Zero crash site (~60 feet deep off western Koror). Some or all of these tasks may be shifted to next day, as appropriate.

8 - 10 Oct: Zone Mid - Travel to Toachel Mid to initiate magnetometer search for 1) Arnett B-24 A/C # 473453 (Note 1: we may get additional information from Palauans working with Dr. Shuster as to this wreck site; accordingly the Toachel Mid trip may shift to accommodate the Palauan interviews; details of crew previously summarized under separate cover to CILHI); remains of up to 8 airmen at crash site and 2) Lt. Robert Dilks, 035144, (remains reported recovered) Corsair Bu No 82596 also in Toachel Mid.

11 - 13 Oct: Zone East - Travel to east side southern Babeldaob for 1) search for Navy Fighter (type unknown) listed in 14 May 1947 US Army Graves Registration Unit summary. Coordinates listed there do not accurately reflect actual position when plotted on 1983 USGS map (probably due to mapping inaccuracies during map construction of the 1943 map that was likely still in use in 1947; I calculated approximate coordinates by using both maps), b), 2) search for Lt. Davey Thompson, 026607, (remains not recovered) Marine F4U Corsair Bu No 57458, 3) conduct shore line search for Navy Fighter (type unknown) and 4) general magnetometer search to south and east of Babeldaob airport for possible aircraft.

14 -15 Oct: Zone West - Travel to west side southern Babeldaob for 1) search for Rea B-24 A/C # 44-40596 (near coral head Hamilton Standard propeller located on coral head along south west Babeldaob); details of crew previously summarized under separate cover to CILHI: remains of up to 8 airmen possible on crash site) and 2) search for Navy Fighter (type unknown) on/near reef.

16 - 17 Oct: Zone Mal - Travel to Malakal Harbor to 1) initiate magnetometry search for Lt. Houle's TBM-1C Avenger, Bu No 45810, VT-51, (Note 2: last seen 27 July 44 "several hundred yards south of 200 yards SE of SE Malakal Wharf"; service numbers not currently available; one parachute seen). 2) investigate US wing near known Daihatsu wrecksite - may require climbing up and into caves. (Note 3: Also in this area may be Maj. Quintus Nelson, 07968, Marine Corsair Bu No not recorded. Last seen crashing on north end of Arupushukaru - ?land/water; body not recovered. Interviews are in progress to determine if more can be found).

Alternate/Additional/Optional Sites (Up to 3 days or, alternatively, add 3 days to any of above four zones as appropriate): 1) F4U1 Marine Corsair Bu No 14183, crashed with Maj. "Cowboy" Stout, 07071 (remains recovered), VMF 114 on northern Koror; 2) Lt. Richard Allison, service number not recorded, Marine Corsair Bu No not recorded, remains not recovered (~1000 yards south of Ngatpang Bay (? Karamadoo Bay)) on Babeldaob, 3) Possible remaining parts of Dixon B-24 fuselage within 100 yards of midspan of bridge between Koror and Arakabesan (noted after WWII by Americans stationed there) and 4) Lt. George Farling, 037936 (rescued), Marine F4U Bu No 57696 (crashed 2 miles south of Melekiok Point, NE Babeldaob. 5) Site of Japanese "destroyer" sunk by Maj. Jack Conger off Ngargol in Nov 44 (attempts at getting better site information in progress). 6) Gravesite(s) investigation of up to four US airman most likely shot down between 25 Aug 44 and 1 Sept 44 to be coordinated between Dr. Don Shuster and PS.

21 -22 Oct: Zone Pel - After consulting with Tangie Hesus, look for new crash sites, possibly including Lt. Charles Spivey, service number unknown (remains reported recovered) Marine Corsair F4U Bu No unknown (reported to have crashed just south of southern edge of Peleliu runway near outer edge of reef. Stay overnight.

22 Oct: Travel to Guam.

23 Oct: Scannon gives talk at University of Guam seminar - contact: Dr. Shuster.

24 Oct: Travel home.
 

Page last modified 17 April 2005