Ralph K Deloach

On July 11, 1943, Lt Ralph K. De Loach was the pilot of a 43rd Bomb Group Flying Fortress nick-named Black Jack. He was forced to ditch the crippled bomber off the coast of New Guinea. All the crew survived.

In 1986 the wreck of the aircraft was found in deep water, and Australian author Steve Birdsall went searching for members of the wartime air crew. Birdsall organised a film crew and took Ralph De Loach back to the tiny village where he and his crew had been brought ashore all those years ago.

The result was a documentary film, Black Jack's Last Mission. See www.B17BlackJack.com for more details.