Operation: B-24 Escort, Kahili Airfield, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea

Date: 14th September 1943 (Tuesday)

Unit No: 44th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, 13th Air Force

Type: P-40F Warhawk

Serial: 41-14107

Code: Unknown

Base: Kukum Field, Guadalcanal

Location: Bougainville island, Papua New Guinea

Pilot: 1st Lt. Andrew Jackson Borders Jr. O-728558 AAF Age 23. PoW */Murdered

* Tunnel Hill PoW Camp, Rabaul, New Britain

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the morning of the 14th September 1943, 1st Lt. Borders his stook off from Kukum Field, Guadalcanal on a Squadron mission to escort nine (9) B-24s to bomb Kahili Airfield on Bougainville island, Papua New Guinea.

Kukum Field, Guadalcanal was also known as ‘Fighter 2 Airfield’.

Over the target, he was shot down by a ‘Zeke’ [Mitsubishi A6M ‘Zero’]. He was last seen over Bougainville at 12:20 hrs.

After the Japanese were defeated on New Britain it was found that there were only eight (8) surviving Allied PoWs at the Tunnel Hill PoW camp whereas it was expected to find a great many more. An investigation was instigated by the 18th Australian War Graves Unit to determine the fate of the PoWs that were thought to have been held on New Britain.

Above: Courtesy of The Birmingham News, dated 8th May 1944

The investigation found that 1st Lt. Borders had baled out and was captured by the Japanese. He was initially held at the PoW camp at Rabaul. He was amongst the approximately fifty-four (54) PoWs who were moved from Rabaul to the Tanoura Mountain pass by truck. Surviving PoWs last saw 1st Lt. Borders on the 4th/5th March 1944 and was suffering from Dysentery.

It was claimed by the Japanese that 1st Lt. Borders was amongst thirty-one (31) PoWs who were killed in an Allied air-raid on the 4th/5th March 1944. However, after interrogating Japanese officers and soldiers stationed at Rabaul during the war the investigation came to the conclusion that this claim was not credible and that the PoWs had been executed.

An overview of the investigation into the circumstances of the deaths and those deemed to be responsible for the executions and atrocities is summarised in the report entitled “Talili Bay Massacre, New Britain”.

Burial details:

Above group burial marker including 1st Lt. Andrew J. Borders (Courtesy of KcK - FindAGrave)

1st Lt. Andrew Jackson Borders Jr. Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters (AM (2 OLC)). Ashes repatriated and laid to rest on the 21st March 1950 in a group burial at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Missouri, Plot 78, Grave 930 to 934. Born on the 19th October 1920 Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. Son of Andrew Jackson and Pearl (née Miller) Borders of Birmingham, Alabama. Husband of Marian Wright (née Seigler) Borders of Birmingham, Alabama, USA.

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the Pilot and his relatives (Dec 2025)

Other sources listed below:

References(s):

Investigation File: NAA: 336/1/1345 Part 6

Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them. Franklin Delano Roosevelt