Remains of an American B-17 Flying Fortress bomber at Black Cat Gap, near Wau, in New Guinea. Force landing occurred on 8 January 1943 after the aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire over Lae.

Disposable cameras are proving an invaluable aid in finding missing United States and RAAF aircraft in the jungles and mountains of New Guinea.

New Guinea tribesman still regularly report a broken 'balus' (aircraft) on return from a hunting trip in some remote area or mountain peak. Now Australian and American authorities have a reliable and cheaper way to assess the discovery - a simple $20 disposable camera and a few minutes' tuition on how to use it.

Previously, it was an expensive helicopter and days of searching with the result often being a known wartime wreck, a jettisoned aircraft fuel tank or a piece of abandoned machinery.

Now it's only a matter of point and press. With the flash equipped cameras and instruction to stand at one or two metres, the island people are returning with proof positive of their discovery. Before departing they are instructed to try and photograph identification numbers or aircraft tails, if possible, and bring back the evidence. The results have been astounding.

The disposable camera idea was first tested by Richard Leahy, of Lae in New Guinea. Leahy is well known as an island pilot who has assisted both the RAAF and American army over the last 20 years in identification and recovery of crew remains from wartime aircraft. So successful was his technique that it has now been officially adopted by the RAAF and Americans.

However, most credit should be given to the people of New Guinea who so willingly and enthusiastically trudge for days on end back to their discovery on some freezing peak, in a sweltering swamp or distant damp valley.

There are still hundreds of missing World War II aircraft in New Guinea and West Iran. As well as American and Australian they include Dutch, Japanese and New Zealand fighters, bombers and transports. With the aid of Japanese camera ingenuity, an Australian idea and New Guinean dedication many of these mysteries are now being quickly and economically solved.

By Bob Piper