The Discovery of The “Swamp Ghost” Revealed A Time Capsule From World War II

Photo Credits: PhotoQuest / Getty Images. (colorized by Palette.fm).

In 1972, while flying over Papua New Guinea, members of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) noticed an odd shape in the marshy terrain below. Hidden in the landscape, a unique structure caught their attention, leading them to look deeper into the matter. After making their way through the challenging swamp environment, their efforts paid off when they discovered a wreck, which the locals referred to as the “Swamp Ghost.”

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

A Boeing B-17E in flight. (Photo Credits: Three Lions / Stringer / Getty Images).

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”

“Swamp Ghost” on display at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. (Photo Credit: Pacific Aviation Museum / Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0)

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.

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After the war the “Swamp Ghost” became a popular attraction

Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress. (Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

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

Hull of the “Swamp Ghost” on display at the Planes of Fame Air Museum. (Photo Credit: Tomás Del Coro / Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0)
When Australian airmen came across the B-17E in 1972, they were astonished by what they had discovered. The wreckage was remarkably well-preserved, and to their surprise, they even found thermoses filled with coffee poured by the original crew!

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?

A miniature model of the “Swamp Ghost.” (Photo Credits: U.S. Navy photo ID 130410-N-WF272-053 / Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Diana Quinlan / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain).

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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.

Elisabeth Edwards: Elisabeth Edwards is a public historian and history content writer. After completing her Master's in Public History at Western University in Ontario, Canada Elisabeth has shared her passion for history as a researcher, interpreter, and volunteer at local heritage organizations. She also helps make history fun and accessible with her podcast The Digital Dust Podcast, which covers topics on everything from art history to grad school. In her spare time, you can find her camping, hiking, and exploring new places. Elisabeth is especially thrilled to share a love of history with readers who enjoy learning something new every day! The Digital Dust Podcast
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