Product Information

Douglas A-20 Havoc "Tobias the Terrible" serial number 43-9477 of the 89th Bomb Squadron, 3rd Bomb Group, 5th Air Force, pulls out after skip bombing Taiei Maru off Wewak. Pilot Lieutenant John Soloc's engine was shot out as he came around to attack, losing power, he elected to continue the attack. As he delivered his bomb amidships, his wingtip and propellor struck the ship's mast. The hydraulics were shot out and the bomb bay doors could not be closed.

Unable to gain altitude or speed, the A-20 crashed a few miles away. Soloc survived, his gunner, John L. Bradley, went down with the plane. After seventeen hours in the water, he was spotted by Lieutenant John P. "Jock" Henebry of the 90th Bomb Squadron. A US Navy Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina flying boat picked him up. Soloc was given a week's leave and returned to combat, he flew 61 missions by the end of the war. New Guinea.