Famous picture of A-20's in New Guinea being shot down

[Michael Turner]

I recently purchased the book: Gun Camera Pacific by L. Douglas Keeney. In it, is has that famous sequence of photos of two A-20’s taken in New Guinea that shows one of them crashing after being hit by flak.

I was wondering if anyone might know more about this as to where in New Guinea it was taken as well as what units these A-20’s were from as well as what model they are. I can’t tell if they were some of the clear nose versions that were converted into a "strafer version" or if they are the "G" model as both did see action in this area of the pacific war.

Thank you in advance for any help.
Michael

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hi Michael,
I have seen this famous picture as well. I guess it must have been taken by someone of the same Squadron ( whose identity we do not know )
Hope someone will help you
Yours
Adriano

[Harri Pihl]

Is this the same sequence:

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/sha...-1234P-029.jpg

[Six Nifty .50s]

The A-20G (43-9432) belonged to the 387th Bomb Squadron. On 22 July 1944 it was hit by shore batteries near the Japanese supply depot at Kokas. At that time it was the longest nonstop flight carried out by the group. The plane crashed into the bay of Sekar and both crew members were killed.

The pilot was 1st Lieutenant James L. Knarr (Luthersburg, Pennsylvania) on his 70th combat mission. The gunner was Staff Sergeant Charles G. Reichley (Sunbury, Pennsylvania) on his 46th mission. The A-20 that recorded the pictures returned with 128 holes from gunfire.

Yank Magazine devoted two full pages to the photos and titled the article "Death of an A-20". Source is THE ROARIN' 20's: A HISTORY of the 312th BOMBARDMENT GROUP.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Six Fifty,
Fantastic information! Thanks for sharing it with us. I had seen just one picture of the caption and have guessed that the crew did not have chances, because they were too low and the bank very impressive. From the information you put there, the pilot should be flying his second tour of missions ( 70th mission ).
Very interesting and precise information. Again thanks for sharing it
Adriano

[DavidIsby]

Fifth Air Force combat tours were in terms of hours of "green ink" - time logged rather than sorties.

Some aircrew flew large numbers of missions, and crews of C-47s flying supply drops from forward airstrips would go home with many hundred combat missions logged. They were explicitly cautioned against comparing the numbers of missions flown with Eighth Air Force veterans.

[Michael Turner]

Thank you to each and one of you for the answers that you gave for my question.

Harri: yes, the link that you gave was the action shot that I was talking about.

Thank you again !

Michael

[Six Nifty .50s]

You're welcome. If I find a photo of the crew I will add it.

The author of the book (Russell Sturzebecker) was also native to Pennsylvania, and he noted that Lieutenant Knarr was scheduled to complete his tour the following month.