The Feb. 2007 issue of OKLAHOMA AVIATOR (a newspaper for private pilots) contains the story of the loss of the B-24D Bomber "Here Tis" (#42-72946). It was part of the 403rd BS of the 43rd. BG and was lost on Black Sunday April 16, 1944 over Papua, New Guinea. The crash site was discovered in 2001 and remains of the crew were identified by DNA. The article deals with 2 Oklahoma brother. One (George E Archer) was navigator on the lost plane and his brother Aaron Archer, who passed his pilot training too late to fly and served as a mechanic on a F-5 Recon squadron in Korea. Aaron provided the DNA sample to identify his brother. The article is illustrated with a half dozen photos including one of the "Here Tis" and its crew.
 
If anyone is researching this plane contact me, or post here, and I will provide details or copies.
 
Paul

Paul,
 
Could you please post the photos and a scan of the article, if possible.  Otherwise could you contact me off-line
 
Cheers
 
Pete

I have done a little research and found the following info.  I would really like any pictures of the plane or crew.  I'm still looking for a Mareeba Butchers patch.

The plane was nick named "Here T'is" 42-72956 aka "4-F Charlie." Here T'is was piloted by 2nd Lt. Raymond Cooley and was lost on "Black Sunday," April 16, 1944. A total of 37 planes were lost that day due to a severe storm. It was part of the 5th Air Force
403rd Bomber Squadron
43rd Bombardment Group.

AKA "Mareeba Butchers". Note on the name "Mareeba Butchers": this nickname came from a Tokyo Rose radio broadcast in which she claimed that the airmen flying out of Mareeba were guilty of intentionally killing innocent women and children. She called the men the "Mareeba Butchers" and the 403rd adopted the nickname as their own.



Pilot 2nd Lt Raymond A. Cooley.

Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Dudley R. Ives.

Navigator 2nd Lt George E. Archer.

Bombardier 2nd Lt Donald F. Grady.

Engineer T/Sgt Richard R. Sargent.

Assist Engineer S/Sgt Norman L. Nell.

Radio T/Sgt Steve Zayac.

Assistant Radio S/Sgt Thomas G. Knight.

Gunner S/Sgt Blair W. Smith.

Gunner S/Sgt Joseph M King.

"Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts"
Sir Winston Churchill

My friends Great Uncle was the bombardier on this plane please post any info.
 
                                                                                                             Chris