Historical Note: The text within this post is an excerpt from the original Army Air Corps or USAAF accident report that was filed shortly after the aircraft disappeared.  These archival reports were typically the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) or Report of Major Accident.  The reports frequently stated the crash site was believed to be “unrecoverable” or “all but impossible to recover”, due to the very remote and rugged terrain where the aircraft crashed.  Employing the services of local tribal guides, I was able to reach and document this crash site.  Without exception, all the sites were very difficult to reach, often involving many days of trekking from the nearest road and multiple river crossings.

B-24J #42-100184
Found 07 Dec 2010

by

On 25 May 1944, this B-24 aircraft of the 14th Air Force, 308th Bombardment Group, 373rd Bomb Squadron, departed Yangkai, China for Chabua, India.  It was a routine ferrying mission.

The aircraft reported being 30 min. E of Chabua.  This was the last radio contact received from the aircraft.  Due to the mountainous terrain where the aircraft was probably lost, it’s believed that even if the aircraft were located, it would be all but impossible to recover the remains of the crew and passengers.  The crew were declared dead as of 26 May 1945.  Dead: 10.

  • Pilot: 1st Lt. Robert M. King
  • Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. John B. Byron
  • Navigator: 1st Lt. Eugene L. Bernstein
  • Radio Operator: TSgt. John J. Regan
  • Flight Engineer: TSgt. Robert R. Riley
  • Gunner: SSgt. Garland J. Reed
  • Gunner: SSgt. Earl L. Smith
  • Passenger: Capt. Thomas H. Clare
  • Passenger: SSgt. Raymond J. Bridge
  • Passenger: Cpl. Merle L. Pickup

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

View the Crashed Aircraft Recovery Report (PDF)

The recovery of this crash site has been generously sponsored by the Chinese American community.

B-24J #42-100184 Photo Gallery

Click on any image for a larger view

Shidibi Mtn. shrouded in clouds
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Human remains and personal artifacts
Human remains
Human remains
Human remains
Human remains
Crewmembers
Crewmembers
Pilot 1st Lt. Robert M. King<br /> (Rear, 2nd from L.)
Pilot 1st Lt. Robert M. King
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. John B. Byron and wife Betty
Flight Engineer<br /> TSgt. Robert R. Riley
Gunner SSgt. Garland J. Reed
SSgt. Raymond J. Bridge
Cpl. Merle L. Pickup
Clayton explaining Hump map to Elizabeth Commins
Clayton and Elizabeth Commins
Sorting loads at the roadhead
Guide, Clayton, and Tapir<br /> at start of trek to Cheppe
Enroute to Cheppe
One of many precarious hanging bridges
Shidibi Mtn.
Tapir on summit of Shidibi Mtn.
Clayton on Shidibi Mtn.
Guide, Tapir and Clayton<br /> on Shidibi Mtn.
Mishmi villagers, Tapir and Clayton
Three generations of Mishmi family <br /> and Clayton
Guides, porters and Clayton
Tasul Borang was a porter for the AGRS searches in 1940's

B-24 Aircraft Discoveries, Crash Site Reports 2003 to 2010

Sort by Discovery Date

Sort by Aircraft Model

Support our Mission

Important Notice: If you believe this is a worthwhile humanitarian project that needs to be pursued, then please visit the Funding page on this website to see how easy it is to support this project in a meaningful manner.  MIA Recoveries, Inc is a tax-exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Click here to donate.

Important Notice:​ These MIA missions are mostly self-funded by Clayton Kuhles.  No funding support is received from the US government.  If you believe this is a worthwhile humanitarian project that needs to be pursued, then please visit the Funding page on this website to see how easy it is to support this project in a meaningful manner.  MIA Recoveries, Inc is a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Funding donations to MIA Recoveries, Inc are deductible under Section 170 of the Code.  EIN: 45-3174718