Japanese claim of summer 1942?
 

Any Japanese claim of 13 June or 13 July 1942 of shooting down an EA {Bomber}?

Re: Japanese claim of summer 1942?
 

Nuppol,

If any USAAF bomber loss in that theater, then two B-17s on 13 June 1942, but not due to Japanese fighters in this instance.
B-17s 41-2636 and 41-41-2655 both crashed shortly after take-off in heavy rain off Horn Island, Australia. Mission to Lae.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: Japanese claim of summer 1942?
 

Nuppol,

My mistake, but please read 13 July 1942 for the crash dates. B-17E, 19th BG, 30th BS.

Leendert

Re: Japanese claim of summer 1942?
 

Nuppol -
As leendert says , 0n 7/13/42 2 B - 17s crashed at
Horn Island , Accidents.
The B - 17E in Question was # 41 - 9206
19th BG , 435th Sq.
on 7/13/42 , the Lt. Donald Tower Crew flew a Recon Mission to Rabaul.
They were attacked by 3 Zeros . #4 Engine destroyed , Both wings damaged ,
Bomb Bay doors blown open . Under Attack for 40 minutes , one Zero shot down.
Lt. Tower dropped down into Clouds , was able to escape and managed to
land at Port Moresby. With all the Damage inflicted , Perhaps the Zero pilots thought
they shot it down.
Source: Fortress Against the Sun by Gene Salecker Page 210
Cheers,
Mike