WWII wreckage search uncovers dog tags, no bodies
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A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) search team has found dogtags but no remains of four airmen who were lost after their bomber crashed in Papua New Guinea during World War II, the Defence Department says.
The Lockheed Hudson bomber was shot down in February 1942 during a sortie against Japanese shipping at Gasmata harbour in New Britain.
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon says a team of nine people, including two RAAF reservist forensic specialists, visited the crash site on October 4.
He said their week-long search uncovered no human remains but other artefacts were discovered.
"The harsh climate and passage of time meant the prospect of locating remains was slim, but Air Force has made every effort to account for these airmen who gave their lives protecting Australia," Mr Snowdon said in a statement released by the Defence Department.
"The families of the four crew members have been advised, and while no remains were found, a number of personal and military artefacts, such as dog tags, watches, pocket knives and an engraved pen, will be returned to the airmen's relatives."
