Another aerial perspective brought to you by the folks who care about rare WW2 Pacific photographs.
  A-20A 'Strawberry Roan' serial #40-173

89th Squadron

3rd Attack Group

Fifth Air Force

 

The southern coastline not far East from Port Moresby is what you see behind A-20A Strawberry Roan as she cruises at an altitude of around 5,000 feet, after having conducted a practice bombing run against S.S Pruth, an old hulk abandoned on Basilik Reef in 1923.

This photo is undated, but must have been taken before 23th April 1943, as this is the date that 2/Lt William Langley ditched this ship in Bootless Bay off the end of 7-Mile Field, Port Moresby. She still lies there, on a flat sandy bottom at a depth of approximately 25 metres. In 2004 you could still freely move the rudder on the aircraft.

Langley was forced to ditch Strawberry Roan in the bay when the right-hand engine faltered and he was unable to keep the A-20A airborne. Both Langley and his gunner swam safely to shore that day.

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