| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | 078821 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Maker |
Harding, B A |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Tadji, New Guinea. 1945-01-21. A badly smashed Australian Army jeep under the tail of A9-557, a ...
Description
Tadji, New Guinea. 1945-01-21. A badly smashed Australian Army jeep under the tail of A9-557, a DAP Beaufort bomber aircraft operated by No 100 Squadron RAAF. This aircraft returned from a strike against Japanese positions at Wewak with one unexploded 40lb bomb loose in the bomb bay. In order not to shake it free on landing the pilot, Flight Lieutenant H J Fowler, decided to make a "flaps up" landing, only applying the brakes at the last possible moment. When he did however, only one wheel gripped slewing the aircraft into four jeeps parked on the edge of the runway and also crashing into the Air Transport Command office. Fortunately, despite the rough treatment, the bomb did not explode and strangely enough was found on the seat of one of the wrecked jeeps.