To their surprise, the wreck was identified as a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress, abandoned by US forces long ago. However, the true discovery lay within the remains of the downed bomber itself.
The crew survived a death-defying crash
On February 23, 1942, several months after the catastrophic attack on Pearl Harbor, the B-17E Flying Fortress, commanded by Capt. Frederick C. Eaton Jr., came under enemy fire while flying over Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, then occupied by the Japanese. With its wing damaged and a severe fuel leak, the bomber faced a difficult return to the safety of Port Moresby.
In a bid for survival, Eaton decided to attempt a crash landing, targeting what he thought was a wheat field. The reality was far less forgiving; the crew ended up in a perilous swamp that was the home of aggressive crocodiles. Against the odds, they survived and were rescued by local villagers who offered shelter and medical aid, helping them recover from malaria. Once they regained their health, they continued their service until the end of the Second World War.
The legend of the “Swamp Ghost”
Following the crash, both the B-17E crew and the US Air Force made no attempts to recover the heavy bomber. It stayed in the swamp, attracting visits from villagers. Over time, it evolved into a quasi-sacred site, with eerie incidents occurring to those who dared to get close to the wreckage.
Legend has it that some who approached the aircraft never came back, while others fell ill with malaria and experienced mental issues. This prompted locals to keep their distance and respect the area as a holy place, believing it would protect them from the unusual happenings.
After the war the “Swamp Ghost” became a popular attraction
Following the war, Papua New Guinea became a popular destination for relic hunters looking for downed aircraft, old guns and infrastructure, and other artifacts the jungle had swallowed up. The “Swamp Ghost” quickly became one of the main attractions.
Salvagers spotted the B-17E Flying Fortress in the jungle
In the 1980s, the famed aircraft salvager Fred Hagan and his partner, David Tallichet, heard about the discovery and made the decision to track down and recover the wreck. They were just as amazed to find the “Swamp Ghost” in such a well-preserved condition. Although most of the weapons and mechanical parts had been taken by locals, the interior remained largely intact.
Hagan and Tallichet then set out to reconstruct the heavy bomber to ensure it was stable enough for transport. However, various setbacks caused delays for years. It wasn’t until 2006 that the salvage operation was finally completed, but not without facing one last obstacle: local opposition to its removal. After a ceremony to honor the spirits of the swamp, the aircraft was finally permitted to leave its resting place for the first time in 65 years.
Where is the “Swamp Ghost” now?
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Once it was fully restored, the “Swamp Ghost” was put on display at a ceremony in Long Beach, California that was attended by many family members of the original crew. It has since been permanently moved to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum in Hawaii, where it’s undergoing restoration.