Swamp Ghost

On February 23, 1942, following America's first heavy bomber offensive raid of World War II, a bullet-riddled U.S. B-17E bomber crash-landed in a remote swamp in Papua New Guinea. The crew of nine survived, and over the next six weeks battled malaria and heat exhaustion as they made their way to safety. The mostly intact Flying Fortress was left behind and would be subsequently lost for decades. In 1972, 30 years after the crash, Australian soldiers spotted the partially submerged aircraft from a helicopter. Upon landing and closer investigation, they found the plane "eerily untouched," earning the aircraft the nickname "Swamp Ghost." SWAMP GHOST documents the mission to bring this once-forgotten piece of history home after a half-century in the soggy marsh. The hour-long documentary follows aircraft historian and recovery expert Fred Hagen and his team as they trek through crocodile and insect-infested swamps, overcome logistical challenges, and negotiate with international agencies to recover the long-lost aircraft and honor the history it represents. The film culminates with the "Swamp Ghost" finally on permanent display at the Pacific Museum in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Episode Duration: 56 minutes and 46 seconds

Episode Number:

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