Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 232 (VMTB-232), flying newly acquired Grumman TBF Avengers. They returned to the Pacific in July 1943 when they were originally based out of Espiritu Santo. From there they moved to Munda in order to support allied forces during the Bougainville landings in November 1943.
On 23 November 1943 the USAAF 403 Troop Carrier Group (TCG) was part of an organisation known as SCAT - South Pacific Combat Air Transport. It was based at Luganville Airport (aka Pekoa) on Espirítu Santo and provided an air freight and military passenger service all around the South Pacific. Douglas C-47 Skytrain 41-18675, call-sign "675-Baker-253" took off from Noumea-Tontouta Airport, New Caledonia bound for Espiritu Santo. Radio contact was established at 0810 but the aircraft failed to respond to a scheduled call at 0910. Two days later, damaged gear and some personal effects from the plane were found in Nakety Bay. A cold front had passed through the New Caledonia area in the early hours of the morning of the 23rd bringing a cloud layer at 2 to 4 thousand feet and a visibility of 4 to 6 miles, with 3 miles in heavier rain. The route was considered flyable on instruments and several aircraft flew it that day without the pilots reporting any difficulty with the weather conditions. The bodies of the 6 crew-members and 19 passengers (3 RNZAF and 16 USMC from VMTB-232) were never found.
NICHOLS, Robert J, SGT, 367211, USMC, from Michigan, location New Caledonia, date of loss November 23, 1943 + NICHOLS, Robert J., Sgt., USMC. Mother, Mrs. Ella M. Phelps, 2704 1/2 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, Mich + NICHOLS, Robert James, 367211, VMTB-232, MAG-11, 1st MAW, FMF, New Hebrides, November 23, 1943, accidental death + NICHOLS, Robert James, Sergeant, 367211, USMC, from Michigan, Honolulu Memorial

Body Not Recovered

Robert James Nichols