Could this B-24 Liberator, found in the Philippines, be the missing RAAF Aircraft A72-191?

[Snake 23451]

UPDATE. We've received an update from Squadron Leader Ashley Matic, also with the Historic Unrecovered War Casualties - History and Heritage Branch, to say that our report is very thorough and well referenced and that the RAAF has commenced a review of the extensive technical information presented with our identification assessment.
They will continue their review in the new year and will keep us updated as this proceeds.

UPDATE. We received another update from Sqn Ldr Ashley Matic to say that, "We are still conducting our review of the document - the quite extensive analysis you and the team have provided means there is a considerable amount of information we have to source, review and analyse ourselves, in order to be able to make any conclusions with regard to your findings."
They have also asked for some additional information on other B-24/PB4Y-1 over water losses in the area which we'll endeavor to do and submit to them when we can.

 

[Snake 23451]

UPDATE. We will be submitting an addendum to our report shortly in regard to some particular modifications that we've found on the wreck. This may speed things up a bit.

 

[Snake 23451]

UPDATE. We hadn't heard from the RAAF since March, so I emailed Sqn Ldr Matic on November 17 and received a reply yesterday to say: "Our small team have been extremely busy this year with commemorative activities related to recent positive identifications we have made.
By means of an update I can report your project is still being progressed here, in parallel with several other investigations. This has been primarily focused on the collection and review of reference materials against which to review your report, however this is taking some time owing to the wide scope of the review we need to complete. We hope to progress further with this task in the new year."

They have a lot on their plate, and I think it's a pity that more government funding isn't allotted for important projects like these involving MIA's where research and review of reference material could be handled by a dedicated team, instead of a small team having to cope with everything.
I'm sure they're doing the best they can with what they have, but this review will be a lengthy process.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from the Sea Scan Survey team.

 

[Snake 23451]

UPDATE. We hadn't heard from the RAAF since March, so I emailed Sqn Ldr Matic on November 17 and received a reply yesterday to say: "Our small team have been extremely busy this year with commemorative activities related to recent positive identifications we have made.
By means of an update I can report your project is still being progressed here, in parallel with several other investigations. This has been primarily focused on the collection and review of reference materials against which to review your report, however this is taking some time owing to the wide scope of the review we need to complete. We hope to progress further with this task in the new year."

They have a lot on their plate, and I think it's a pity that more government funding isn't allotted for important projects like these involving MIA's where research and review of reference material could be handled by a dedicated team, instead of a small team having to cope with everything.
I'm sure they're doing the best they can with what they have, but this review will be a lengthy process.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from the Sea Scan Survey team.

UPDATE. Unfortunately nothing to report except that the RAAF review is still ongoing.

 

[Snake 23451]

UPDATE. Unfortunately nothing to report except that the RAAF review is still ongoing.

UPDATE. October 25 marked two years since our report had been submitted to the RAAF, and we hadn’t heard anything from them for eight months leading up to that date.
It’s also now seven years since the aircraft was discovered. So what to do?

Hugh suggested that he and Paul try to have a face to face meeting with them to get things moving. This was successfully arranged and the meeting took place with Squadron Leader Ashley Matic and Group Captain Grant Kelly at the Werribee B-24 Restoration Memorial on November 25. Many thanks go to Hugh and Paul for making the time and effort to organize this, both having to drive a considerable distance from NSW to Werribee and back.

We now expect that this official identification process will be brought to a conclusion soon.

I personally have to say that I find it disheartening that our MIAs are treated with such indifference by the Australian Government.
Where is the funding for the RAAF and the search and recovery of our missing servicemen who gave their lives for their country?
A ‘small team’ is not good enough for such an important task, and families should not be kept waiting indefinitely for a result.
They’ve already been waiting for 80 years.

Quite frustrating after the amount of time, money and effort that has gone into this project, only to see it going nowhere.

The Government and the RAAF should take a page out of the American’s book, as shown in the DPAA link below.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from our combined team.

 

[OldTex]

UPDATE. October 25 marked two years since our report had been submitted to the RAAF, and we hadn’t heard anything from them for eight months leading up to that date.
It’s also now seven years since the aircraft was discovered. So what to do?

Hugh suggested that he and Paul try to have a face to face meeting with them to get things moving. This was successfully arranged and the meeting took place with Squadron Leader Ashley Matic and Group Captain Grant Kelly at the Werribee B-24 Restoration Memorial on November 25. Many thanks go to Hugh and Paul for making the time and effort to organize this, both having to drive a considerable distance from NSW to Werribee and back.

We now expect that this official identification process will be brought to a conclusion soon.

I personally have to say that I find it disheartening that our MIAs are treated with such indifference by the Australian Government.
Where is the funding for the RAAF and the search and recovery of our missing servicemen who gave their lives for their country?
A ‘small team’ is not good enough for such an important task, and families should not be kept waiting indefinitely for a result.
They’ve already been waiting for 80 years.

Quite frustrating after the amount of time, money and effort that has gone into this project, only to see it going nowhere.

The Government and the RAAF should take a page out of the American’s book, as shown in the DPAA link below.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from our combined team.

The DPAA funding would be considered a rounding error for the US budget. It is not the same for the Australian budget. Even with a large amount of money it has to be prioritised, sadly it is the most recent MIAs that get the funding , so Gulf War/Afghanistan get more than Vietnam/Korea/WW2. Point in case is the search for a USAAF training casualty 80 years after the event (search for Sandi Toksvig's Hidden Wonders). So perhaps people need to write to their local member to put pressure on both Department of Defence and Department of Veteran's Affairs to do more.