33RD TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON
374TH TRANSPORT GROUP

On 3 August 1942, the Squadron, then attached to the 315th Transport Group, moved from Bowman Field, Ky to the Army Air Base, Florence in South Carolina. Here they commenced an intensive overseas training program. Flying personnel engaged in night flying and dropped paratroops in southern maneuvers. The ground personnel were given infantry and commando training. While at Florence the number of aircraft in the Squadron was raised to a maximum of thirteen.

On 30 September 1942, 72 officers and enlisted men formed an air echelon and departed for Hamilton Field, California for overseas transition training. Two weeks later on 20 October 1942, the ground echelon departed Florence, South Carolina by rail. The train arrived at Pittsburg, California 7 days later on 27 October 1942.

On 18 October 1942, the air echelon, under the command of Captain Eugene R. Jackson, departed Hamilton Field with 13 aircraft per Operations Order No. 97, Air Transport Command, Headquarters, Pacific Wing, dated 17 October 1942. They arrived at Canton Island on the evening of 21 October 1942. Ten aircraft and crews from the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron assisted in the search for Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and his companion for two days.

The air echelon arrived at New Caledonia on 25 October 1942. Seven of the Squadron's aircraft and crews were delayed there until 29 November 1942 by the Island Command, VOCG, General Harmon, and ferried personnel and supplies to Guadalcanal and New Hebrides Islands, using Tontuta as a base. Wounded personnel were returned from Guadalcanal.

Here the squadron sustained its first casualties in the Southwest Pacific Area SWPA. On 8 November 1942, a C-47 with S/Sgt Pilot Ray V. Hensman at the controls, was seen to burst into flames, as it passed over the northerly end of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, which was then in then hands of the Japanese. It had apparently been struck by enemy ground fire.

On 22 November 1942, another aircraft was totally demolished in a crash after taking off at New Hebrides with a load of hand grenades onboard. The crew was seriously injured but there were no fatalities. On 29 November 1942, the five remaining aircraft departed Tontuta, and arrived at Cairns in far north Queensland on 30 November 1942. They joined the rest of the air echelon at Ward's Drome, Port Moresby, on 2 December 1942.

The remaining aircraft continued on to Brisbane in south east Queensland and then continued on to Cairns. They operated from Cairns and New Guinea until 10 December 1942 when TWX instructions from Lt., Colonel Nichols sent them to their next station in New Guinea. "Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II" by Maurer Maurer states that the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron was located at Cairns in far north Queensland from 1 November to 10 December 1943.

On 2 November 1942, the ground echelon boarded the USS Tjisdane and departed the Golden Gate on the early morning of 3 November 1942. The personnel on board the ship included approximately 1,800 enlisted men, 120 Nurses, 9 Red Cross girls, and about 400 officers, excluding the ships crew. Because of the crowding on board ship, meals were served twice daily and each meal last about three hours. After a few days at sea, seasickness cut down the length of the chow lines and consequently shortened the meal hours.

Duties were divided among the various units on board. The duty of Ships Guard befell the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron and it turned out to be the best assignment since the guards were authorised to go all over the boat whereas all other enlisted men were assigned to one deck below the officers' deck. 1st Sgt. Arthur Mermelstein and T/Sgt Clifford Williams were appointed Coordinators of the Guard and were in complete control of its operation. The boat was divided into three sections with four posts in each section. Each section was under a Corporal of the Guard and a Sergeant of the Guard was in charge of each shift making a total of 16 men per shift. OD's were selected from the officer personnel.

The trip soon settled into a routine of water and sky until 12 November 1942 when the boat crossed the equator. The usual King Neptune ceremonies were performed and all on board received a card indicating the date this event took place.

On 17 November 1942, 8 ships departed our convoy leaving us to travel the rest of the way alone. The 18th of November turned out to be an eventful day in that we crossed the International Date Line and consequently lost one day, jumping from 18 November to 20 November 1942. Land was finally sighted on 22 November and the ship docked at Auckland, New Zealand were it remained for four days. The Unit boarded ship again on Thanksgiving Day, on the 26th, and arrived at Brisbane, in south east Queensland on 1 December 1942.

The Squadron disembarked and were billeted at Camp Doomben. A period of three weeks elapsed during which time training was continued in the form of hikes, drill, weapons instruction, etc. The Squadron was ordered to embark on the supply ship "Isaac Coles", per Movement Order No 44. Hq, Air Service Command, APO 923 dated 16 November 1942, on 21 December 1942. There were no troop facilities on board. The men slept in one of the holds on strips of plywood laid on the floor. The kitchen was a small wooden shack on the deck just large enough for a cook and two stoves. Strict orders were in force in regards to smoking since there were thousands of tons of live ammunition, torpedoes, and bombs on board.

Christmas Day was spent in the harbor at Townsville, in north Queensland.

After a strenuous trip of seven days, Port Moresby, New Guinea was reached and the unit disembarked enroute to Ward's Drone, five miles away. The meeting of the air and ground echelons on the strip was a never-to-be-forgotten moment. The ground echelon was informed that although an area had been assigned, no camp had been established. The air echelon had slept in the aircraft, eating cold "C" rations or eating occasionally at Camp Arcadia whose small kitchen appeared to be the only one on the island.

The assigned area was situated on the side of a hill, one mile from the airfield. It was full of large rocks and trees. There were two Native grass huts, one of which was set up as the Orderly Room and the other was used temporarily to store the men's barracks bags.

The men immediately set up pup tents and prepared sites for permanent quarters to be put up as soon as the pyramidal tents would be unloaded from the boat. The Squadron lived in this manner for several days during which period meals were obtained at Arcadia. As the supplies were unloaded from the boat and hauled into the area, the camp began to take shape. A small kitchen was built and the mess department went into operation. Latrines were dug just in time because an epidemic of dysentery and diarrhea hit at least 60% of the men. It took several weeks for the two Squadron doctors to wipe it out. A few weeks later an epidemic of malaria was in progress and as many as 28 men were hospitalised in the 10th Evacuation Hospital at one time. Malaria control was started with such prophylactic measures as oil spray, quinine suppressive treatment and mosquito bars and repellents. Mosquitos were so abundant that several months elapsed before a decrease in their numbers was observed.

The Squadron was notified that pursuant to paragraph 2, General Order No. 32, Hq, 5th Air Force, APO 923, dated 12 November 1942, it had become a part of the newly designated 374th Troop Carrier Group which was being built up in Brisbane.

The ground echelon was surprised to learn that casualties bad been sustained by the air echelon during the month of November 1942. Nine enlisted men had been killed and one officer and two enlisted men were missing. Of the latter, the Pilot and Aerial Engineer were killed and the Radio Operator escaped after forty three days in the jungle.

During January 1943, the war was brought to the men in the form of air raids. These raids resulted in little damage but they did manage to keep the men up most of the night. For a while, this failed to affect the men because of their excellent physical condition. A few months later it was observed that the efficiency of each individual was decreased partly because of these night raids and partly because of the poor diet and increased incidence of digestive diseases, malaria and fever of Undetermined Origin.

During these early months, a dispute arose as to who was Commanding Officer of the Squadron. Captain Eugene R. Jackson had been placed in command of the air echelon at Hamilton Field by order of the I Troop Carrier Command at Indianapolis, Indiana. At about the same time, Captain Robert L. Ward was assigned to the Squadron at Florence, S.C. and placed in command by order of Lt. Col. Hamish McLelland, Commanding Officer of 315th Troop Carrier Group. The issue was settled by Colonel Paul H. Prentiss, CO of the 374th Troop Carrier Group. His decision placed Captain Ward in command. His tenure of office was short due to the early promotion of Captain Jackson to Major.

The air echelon had welcomed the arrival of the ground echelon with open arms for they had been flying daily, without rest, since their departure from the States. Now they would be able to get more rest because of the crew members who had come over with the ground echelon. Their exuberance was short lived for the battle for the Wau Airfield was in progress and all the unit's aircraft were busy flying in Australian troops until the Japanese were eventually driven out in February 1943.

It was during the height of this battle that another aircraft was lost to enemy action. On 7 February 1943, several flights of aircraft reached the Wau strip simultaneously with 20 Jap bombers and several fighters. The bombers dropped their bomb loads on the airfield and the fighters took after the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron's aircraft. All escaped except the aircraft which was piloted by Lt. Robert H. Schwensen. The aircraft was last seen with two Zeroes on its tail. The rest of the crew more Lt. Henry W. Sherman, Co-pilot, Cpl. Emil M. Erickson, Aerial Engineer, Pfc Clifford J. Fawn, Radio Operator and Pfc Edward G. Piekutowski, Aerial Engineer trainee. Coincident with the Wau battle, the 33rd TCS aircraft were required to carry supplies to Kokoda, Doboduro, Buna and dropping missions on the various battle fronts in Papua inaccessible to airfields. Casualties were usually evacuated on the return trips from these airfields. The aircraft, upon approaching Ward's Drome, would fly a distinctive coloured streamer, indicating wounded aboard, and would be met immediately upon landing by American and Australian ambulances.

For its vital part in the Papuan Campaign between 19 September 1942 and 22 December 1942, the 374th Troop Carrier Group was cited in par. III, War Department General Order No. 3, dated 15 January 1943.The construction of several buildings in the camp area was started in February 1943. The largest of these buildings was a new Mess Hall capable of seating three hundred enlisted men and eighty officers at one time. The squadron carpenters, under the supervision of an NCO from an Engineering outfit, did most of the actual building. It was finally completed and opened on the 27 February 1943. An immediate drop in digestive diseases was manifested and the reason was laid down to the new Mess Hall with its more sanitary facilities and fly control.

A new office was built for the Commanding Officer. An Australian portable unit was utilised. Although only 8 by 12 feet, it was occupied by both the CO and Adjutant. By this time, the grass hut being used as an Orderly Room, began to disintegrate and plans for a new one were made.

On 12 March 1943, sufficient material was obtained to build a new Orderly Room 40 x 70 feet. It was fitted with modern style desks and tiling systems and was responsible for cutting confusion down to a minimum.

The entire Group was alerted for permanent change of station to the Australian mainland commencing on 5 October 1943 and finishing a few days later. According to TM Directive No 116, Hq. 5th AF, dated 20 September 1943, as amended by TM Directive No 116-1, Hq. 5th AF, dated 30 September 1943. Headquarters and the 6th, 22nd, 33rd squadrons were to move to Townsville and the 21st Squadron to Brisbane. The 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron made a complete exchange of equipment with the 41st Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group at Townsville, They in turn moved into the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron's area at Port Moresby, taking over the equipment left by the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron. The Group was still under the administrative control of the 5th Air Force but was placed under the operational control of the Directorate of Air Transport.

The 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron was assigned a section on Project No 2, Garbutt Airfield which was about a half a mile from Garbutt Airfield. Engineering, Operations and Intelligence were established in the Garbutt hangar and each squadron of the Group was given one quarter of the hangar for maintenance.

A heavy schedule of operations was undertaken by the Group and men and equipment were moved in a steady flow to all parts of Australia, especially Darwin and other West Australian military establishments. Another shuttle schedule was made between Port Moresby and Townsville. The Group also ahd the task of ferrying personnel from Port Moresby to the rest area at Mackay.

While at Townsville the messes of the 22nd and 33rd Troop Carrier Squadrons were consolidated into one unit under the supervision of Lt. Lepsky, Mess Officer of the 22nd, This proved to be a very unsatisfactory arrangement since approximately 500 enlisted men were forced to eat in a building able to accommodate only 100 men at most. Long chow lines were in evidence as were the queues waiting to wash mess kits, all of which caused an unnecessary loss of valuable man hours of work.

Group Special Services undertook to establish a uniform schedule of recreation for all the squadrons. Captain Simpson Group Special Service Officer formed a Group baseball team that piled up an enviable record of wins. Volleyball and basketball were the favorites of the masses. A movie was operated by the 45th Service Group and a fair selection of pictures was presented.

Squadron Operations broke up the monotony of routine flying to Port Moresby by trips to the Woodlarks, Trobriands, Kiriwina, Goodenough and all the old stops familiar to the flying crews.

Although the Buna campaign was considered to have ended in January 1943, our aircraft still continued to fly in load after load, crossing the Owen Stanley Range 10 to 14 times each day. Some aircraft made as many as eight trips daily, carrying a total load of freight and personnel which often exceeded 80,000 pounds.

In February 1943, the Wau campaign was on. The Japanese were on the edge of the runway, but troops were flown in until the Japanese were forced to retreat. On one flight into this area, three aircraft were caught by Japanese Zeroes and one of them was shot down. It was never located.

During March and April 1943, new aircraft and complete crews were received to replace the aircraft and crews previously lost. Each day we were operating flights into Wau but weather over the Range hampered achievement. Aircraft were also flown into Dobodura with supplies and personnel, for this base was being used as an advanced station. From May until October flights only consisted of routine daily missions. At different times the Squadron was called upon to drop supplies, food and ammunition, to troops on patrol at places beyond operating airfields.

In October 1943, the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron moved its Operations from Port Moresby, to Garbutt Airfield in Townsville, and started to work for the Directorate of Air Transport DAT. Flights from Townsville were altogether different than those from Port Moresby. All were at least four hours long and most were over the Coral Sea. Here they would take a load to one station, off load, reload and head on, flying until darkness or weather forced an RON.

While stationed at Townsville, the number of aircraft assigned to the Squadron was increased. This enabled the Squadron to step up production. Air miles flown and flying hours were almost doubled. This change came without any increase in personnel. Gradually, however, new men were added and manpower problems were overcome. During the period from October 1943 to April 1944, the Squadron learned to maintain and operate twice as many aircraft as ever before, and during this period, only one major accident occurred. It is not known what caused the accident, but it was assumed, and with reasonably certainty, that it was the result of bad weather over the Coral Sea.

The 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron moved back to Port Moresby in April 1944.

Some aircraft crashes and forced landings

The following was posted on the WAE Message board:-

5th Air Force, 33rd Troop Carrier, 374th, New Guinea, 1943

Question posted by DR Fawn (drfawn@swbell.net) on Friday, May 08 at 04:42 AM EDT

Question:

I'm am hoping to locate any veterans of the SW Pacific Theatre who might help me or recall any information that can provide assistance in my research concerning my Uncle. My Uncle Clifford Jesse Fawn known as "Bud"... though I never knew him, enlisted in the Army Air Corps on April 4, 1942. USAAF serial# 15076739. He was assigned to 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron of the 374th Troop Carrier Group, U.S. 5th Air Force. Shot down in C-47 #I-386658 (1941 model #41-38658) by Japanese Zeroes near airfield at Wau, Papua, New Guinea. He was missing and presumed dead for 46 years. The wreckage of his plane as well as his remains was discovered in October 1988 by Grant Malensek, a Canadian geologist with Australian mining company CRA Explorations.

The aircraft was one of 3 planes on a routine combat flight from Jackson Airdrome near Port Moresby, New Guinea to Wau airdrome, New Guinea. About 1045 hours on 6 Feb. 1943, the flight was circling Wau when it was attacked by  enemy aircraft. Two of the US aircraft succeeded in getting away and returned to Jackson Airdrome. This aircraft, #41-38658, was last seen by other members of the flight heading into the mountains near Wau. The aircraft was reported to be under control when last seen and there was no evidence that it was damaged or that any of the crew was injured. I was able to secure from documents from the US military, one of which referenced that a documentary production was being filmed by a news crew from Channel 7 in Sydney, Australia. The production focused on this plane, it's loss and subsequent recovery 46 years later. "Bud" was buried with full military honors in the Arlington National Cemetery in November 1989. As she had vowed so many times not to leave this world until her first born came home, my grandmother died peacefully the following day at the age of 96. I would be extremely grateful if anybody could provide me with any available data from any available source. I can offer in exchange (who knows... I'm open to striking a bargain?) at least one of the most incredible and documentable ghost stories ever told associated with this incident. I beleive a story of this event was chronicled in a book call American Flyboy. I'd certainly appreciate you passing this on.... and on.... and on..... Best wishes to all....

drfawn@swbell.net

Austin, Texas, USA

Posted by Bill Wamsley (Thewams@earthlink.net) on June 27, 1998 at 19:21:55:

My father was in the 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron in New Guinea in 1942-43. I'd like to hear from anybody who might like to contact him. He's still sharp and active, knows a lot abaout that piece of history and has written a neat book about it, called American Fly-Boy. He's coming to San Fran to visit at the end of July, and I'd like to show him around the Web, so if yo know of any neat sites, I'd like to know about those. Thanks.

E-mail from Jim McCune

E-mail from Bob Borchert
Radio Operator from 33rd TCS

REFERENCES

Origin, Narrative of Events and Change of Station (for 33rd Troop Carrier Squadron) - There are a number of pages missing from this document.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 7 February 1999

This page last updated 10 Apr 2026