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Allied Air Forces Losses and Incidents Database.

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NOTE ON DATES: IMPORTANT: For consistency, the Date is given as the date the mission TOOK OFF since the precise time of a loss is not always certain. Take Off date is unambigous and fixed in the official records, but obviously in those cases where the incident occurred before midnight UK time, then the Take Off Date will be the same as the Incident Date. Of course, most Bomber Command missions flew through midnight, therefore a Luftwaffe claim against a plane - or a locally generated crash report - may record the incident as occurring on the day following our Take Off Date. Bear this in mind when cross-referencing to our Luftwaffe Victories by Name/Date Database and other Luftwaffe sources. In some cases other sources may quote the date following our date, using locally generated reports as their source. To add to the potential for confusion, remember to take into account a Luftwaffe recorded date will be in local time, 1 hour ahead of UK time. When we discover a validated Incident Date we change our record if necessary.



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Thanks to Personnel of the Polish Air Force in Great Britain for supplementary data and images (marked with a chequerboard device) related to the Polish Air Force, and many images courtesy of our respected colleagues Wojtek Matusiak and Robert Gretzyngier. Other images from our own archives.
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Polish Air Force personnel have a supplementary database containing more information and many more entries. Check the following:
Personel Polskich Sił Powietrznych posiada dodatkową bazę danych zawierającą więcej informacji i wiele innych wpisów. Sprawdź następujące elementy:
Archiwum: PSP 1939 -1947 Database 17,000+ Polish Air Force Entries
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You searched for: “"hot garters"

#Name*First NamesTitleRankRAF Equivalent RankService No.BornNationalityRoleAwardsAir ForceCommandUnitDateofIncident *See NoteAircraftTypeSerialCodeVictories (Fighters)BaseTimeMission                        Incident                        FateCommemoratedPhoto (Click to Expand)Referring Database                        Notes                        Links/Archive Reports
1 BernierWilliam Daniel1st LtO-670067Born Lewis and Clark County, Montana USA November 11, 1915USABombardierUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledAugusta, Montana USA
pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.
2 CopelandJohn Earl SnrStaff Sergeant37230355Born Montgomery County, Kansas June 7, 1922USAWaist GunnerUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledTablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines



pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.
3 CrotteauDonald CStaff Sergeant36292455Born Portage County, WisconsinUSAGunnerUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledTablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines



pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.
4 GardnerCharles ArthurSergeant39844574Born Carlinville, Macoupin County, Illinois March 21, 1912USAObserverUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledTablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines





pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.
5 GreenmanDonald P1st LtO-671425Born Washington County, Rhode Island February 3, 1923USANavigatorUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledTablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines



pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.
6 HandlemanWlliam MSergeant12033724Born Washington County, Rhode Island February 3, 1923USAPhotographerUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledTablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines

pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.
7 HylerWlliam TStaff Sergeant12150690Born Westchester County, New York February 3, 1923USAGunnerUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledLong Island National Cemetery



pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.
8 JohnstonCharles LTechnical Sergeant13156292Born Allegheny County, Pennsylvania October 17, 1923USAGunnerUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledArlington USA



pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.
9 JonesCharles JStaff Sergeant14066262Born Clarke County, GeorgiaUSAGunnerUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledArlington USA



pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.
10 MooreHugh FrancisTechnical Sergeant33204872Born Cecil County, MarylandUSAEngineerUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledElkton MD

pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.
11 PoulsenBryant Edmond1st LtO-743204Sanpete County, Utah September 8, 1921USAPilotUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledArlington USA


pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.
12 YoungHerbert Vernon1st Lt.O-737927Born Yavapai County, Arizona June 8, 1920USACo-PilotUSAAF90th Bomber Group321st Bomber Squadron Heavy
1944-04-10B-24D Liberator#42-41188 'Hot Garters'Nazdab Air Base, Papua New GuineaAttack AA site Hansa Bay, Papua New GuineaShot down by AA fire over Madang. Papua New GuineaKilledArlington USA



pacificwrecks.comFour of the 12-member crew exited the aircraft after it had been hit and those captured by the Japanese were murdered. Donald Crotteau was one of the men who bailed out, along with fellow crew members Hyler and Handleman. They were likely injured and managed to evade capture for two days. On April 12, 1944, however, they were captured and ultimately were murdered or died of their injuries. The other crew members went down with the plane and the entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Donald Greenman was another of the four who bailed out. He was likely captured on April 10, 1944 by a Japanese Army patrol sent to investigate a report of an enemy aircraft being shot down. Japanese records say a patrol captured an 'American pilot' (likely Greenman) and the next day took him to Diri and later he was walked or transported to Hansa Bay. The Japanese report says on April 16, 1944 four PoWs from the crash were transported to Bogia. According to the Japanese, two of the prisoners - Greenman and Handleman - 'died on route'. Possibly, this was a Japanese euphemism meaning they were murdered or otherwise killed. The fact is when Leading Private Oshina returned to Hansa Bay he had only two prisoners with him and Greenman was not one of them. William Hyler was reportedly captured by Japanese troops and murdered about 2 weeks later. Paulsen's remains were recovered and identified by American authorities on July 16, 2014 and he and the others identified were interred on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours.

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