27 May 2004

WWII planes found off Papua

1:29 pm on 27 May 2004

Indonesian officials say divers have found the wreckages of two US warplanes off Papua province.

The Antara news agency says the two planes, shot down during the second world war, were discovered underwater south of Samata village.

Police say the wrecks have been overgrown by coral and are home to schools of fish.

The region saw heavy aerial combat during the Japanese push southward in 1942 and 1943.