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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