On 7th August 1942, six B26 Marauders of US 19th Bombardment Squadron departed Woodstock, Townsville, under the command of 1st Lt Robert R.Hatch of Goldsboro, NC. In fading light Lt Hatch belly-landed “Dixie” in an expanse of reedy swamp beside a broad meandering stream. On the 4th day of meandering through squelchy needled sago palms and reedy swamps they came across a gardener who led them to a ramshackle village beside the Mambare River. Hatch’s crew were fed and provided two large canoes and headed downstream towards Archdeacon Gill’s hideout. On the third day they met Gill, Sgt Leo T.Ranta and PIB (Papuan Infantry Battalion) at the jungle hideout behind Duvira mission. Ranta was the sole survivor of the 19th Heavy Bombardment Group B17E Flying Fortress shot down by Zeros while attacking shipping in the Buna area on 2nd August. My father Lt Alan E.Hooper was in command of the PIB in the area. He describes in Love War and Letters PNG 1940-45 sending the following message from LVQ Iema - HOOPER TO RAAF: HATCH AND CREW B26 CRASH LANDED AUGUST 7 SAFE WELL. NOW AT DUVIRA MISSION MAMBARE: CAN YOU RESCUE FROM MOROBE HARBOUR By CATALINA?