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| RAAF No. 78 Squadron |
Pilot F/O Eugene H. Weber, 404864 (KIA, BR) Rockhampton, QLD Crashed March 3, 1944 at 1:00pm Aircraft History Built by Curtiss. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40N-5-CU Warhawk serial number 42-105740. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia. Wartime History During September 1943 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as P-40N Kittyhawk serial number A29-537 to 15 Aircraft Repair Depot (15 ARD) reserve pool. On January 28, 1944 assigned to No. 78 Squadron. Code HU-W. Mission History On March 3, 1944 took off piloted by F/O Eugene H. Weber leading "yellow section" on a mission to strafe barges off the north coast of New Guinea between Kronprinz Harbor near Hansa Bay. When the Kittyhawks began strafing barges in Uligan Harbor and claimed two destroyed. The formation encountered exceptionally heavy anti-aircraft fire that damaged several planes. At 1:00pm, this P-40 was hit by anti-aircraft fire that caused it to catch fire and severed the starboard wing and exploded roughly 50' to 100' off the ground before it crashed into a gun pit. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Weber was the first No. 78 Squadron pilot killed in action. For his actions, Weber was mentioned in dispatches: "On the 2nd March, 1944, as a member of No 78 I/F Squadron, Flying Officer WEBER was engaged in a barge strafing operation and had just destroyed at least two barges in a small harbour [Uligan Harbor] when exceptionally heavy and accurate barrage fire was directed at his section from a concealed battery on the shore, damaging several aircraft. Instead of taking avoiding action, he at once diverted his attention to this battery and pressed home his attack at very close range. He succeeded in scoring hits on the battery which consisted of at least six Bofors and eight light anti-aircraft guns before he was shot down and crashed into the gun emplacement he had been attacking. Flying Officer Weber had 99 hours of operational flying and had participated in 35 sorties including 30 strikes. He had at all times displayed great courage and an outstandingly aggressive spirit whilst engaged in active operations against the enemy." Wreckage This Kittyhawk crashed north of Uligan (Uligan Mission) with the wings and engine roughly 100 yards from the fuslelage with the pilot's body with parachute in between. Likely, the Japanese visited the crash site and removed the pilot's pistol or other items. On June 6, 1944, the Australian Army 35th Infantry Battalion found the crash site and remains of the pilot. The soldiers incorrectly reported the crashed plane was a Boomerang [sic Kittyhawk] with markings HUW. Postwar, listed in RAAF Survey of Aircraft Wreckage, Papua New Guinea as #369 as wreckage recovered, meaning the pilot's remains were recovered. In the 1990s, Brian Bennett visited the wreckage which included a wing with the .50 caliber machine guns still in place. Sometime afterwards, the wreckage was scrapped. In 2024, only one machine gun from the Kittyhawk with a bracket and other small pieces of wreckage remain. Recovery of Remains When the crash site was discovered, the skeletal remains of the pilot with red curly hair were found. Also found was a set of RAAF flying wings, flying officer's rank badge and a pocket compass. The pilot's revolver and ammunition were missing. No identification discs [dog tags] were found. The remains were buried in a grave marked with a wooden cross with the inscription "Uknown Australian Flying Officer buried 6/6/44" with an Anglican funeral service performed by Chaplain Lambert. A later investigation revealed the pilot's name and service number on his belt, "Webber E. H. No. 404864" and resulted in his positive indentifcation. Afterwards, the remains were transported to Lae for permenant burial. Memorials Weber was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at Lae War Cemetery at L. A. 11. His epitaph reads: "Greater Love Hath No Man. Ever Remembered by his Noble Deeds." He is also commemorated at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) on panel 104. References Note, wartime references incorrectly state the loss location was Kronprinz Harbor, sic Uligan Harbor. RAAF Service Record E. H. Weber (NAA: A9300, WEBER E H) Casualty File Weber, Eugene Haydn (NAA: A705, 166/43/548) USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40N-5-CU Warhawk 42-105740 "105740 to RAAF as A29-537 Sep 1943. Shot down by AAA Kronprinz Harbour. [sic Uligan Harbor] Pilot KIA." ADF Serials - Kittyhawk A29-537 RAAF Survey of Aircraft Wreckage, Papua and New Guinea page ? "#369 | Lat 04.30 Long 145.25 | Ulingan | RAAF Kittyhawk A29-537 | Wreckage recovered" CWGC - Eugene Haydn Weber FindAGrave - Flying Officer Eugene Haydn Weber (grave photo) FIndAGrave - Eugene Haydn Weber (AWM) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated November 14, 2025 |
 P-40  Map June 6, 1944 |
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