Aircraft History
This bomber was model D-20, converted to D-1 strafer. Nicknamed "Tondelayo" on both sides of the nose. Named after the actress Hedy Lamar's character "Tondelayo" in the 1942 film White Cargo. This was an early replacement aircraft, assigned to the 345th BG, 500th BS on August 23, 1943. Crew chief was SSgt Allen R. Puckett. "Tondelayo" markings included Japanese flag for one fighter claimed October 12, 1943. The nine other flags represent the claims for October 18, 1943, plus a ship silhouette for that same mission. The bomber had red cowls, a white fuselage stripe.

The regular crew was 1st Lt. Ralph G. Wallace, co-pilot 2nd Lt. Edward J. Hick, engineer SSgt Weldon Isle, radio SSgt Burton E. Eaton and turret gunner SSgt John A. Murphy. Known combat missions include: September 27, 1943 against Wewak, with with Wallace piloting October 12, 1943 over Rabaul (one Zero claimed), with with Wallace piloting

Its most famous mission was flying an unescorted bomber strike mission against Rabaul on October 18, 1943. They attacked a 6,000 ton ship off Vunapope along with B-25D "Sorry Satchul" 41-30056 and B-25D "SNAFU" 41-30054. One of its engines was shot out, and the bomber engaged in a seventy-five minute aerial battle with a reported fifty Japanese fighters as it returned to base. Both of the wingmen in the flight were shot down. During the escape, turret gunner Murphy was credited with five victories, plus four others credited that crashed into the sea, attempting to attack the bomber skimming the surface of the ocean, and misjudging their attacks. It sucessfully returned to base with heavy damage. The 500th BS received a distinguished unit citation for this mission.

Extensive damage kept it out of action for six months as the wing and both engines were replaced. "Tondelayo" became the most famous in the 345th BG, and at one time there was even discussion of bring the aircraft back to the United States for a war bond tour.

Instead, it rejoined the 500th BG in the middle of May 1944 after its repairs. Flown by 1st Lt. Frederick W. Dick and crew chief T/Sgt Walter W. Sabo and Puckett. Known combat missions include: July 30, 1944 piloted by Dick against Halmahera. August 9, 1944 piloted by Bagshaw against Wasile Bay. Also September 16, 1944 piloted by Dick against Gorontalo. It flew combat missions until fall of 1944, when the unit was equipped with new B-25J Mitchells.

This bomber was regulated to non-combat missions, stripped to natural metal finish and all armament removed and assigned to the 501st BS, but served as a hack for the entire 345th BG. Nicknamed "Chow Hound" with a cartoon Disney pluto carrying picnic basket. It was assigned to T/Sgt Adolp K. Singerman. It preformed 'fat cat' runs from Australia to the 345th BG base at Biak.

Mission History
On March 30, 1945 this aircraft took off on a 'fat cat' run transporting cargo and personnel from Biak to San Marcelino. Crew included: pilot, 1st Lt. Robert K. Cavins (501st BS) radio, Sgt Albert J. Mazerolle (500th BS), Passenger Captain Edward F. Egan, passenger Sgt Russell E. Peters (WIA). Two hours into the flight, they met bad weather and were blown of course and had a radio malfunction.

Out of fuel, it force landed on the beach at Catanduanes Island on March 30, 1945. The bomber touched down in the sea and skidded across the beach until finally impacting into a small hill. All of the crew were injured in the crash, except Mazerolle One of the crew members was severely injured in the crash, and it took hours of work with the plane's fire ax to cut into the wreckage to free the trapped passengers.

The island was mostly controlled by Filipino guerillas, who took the crew to Tilod, where they were fed and injuries treated. The next day, part of the crew was taken by canoe to a nearby town where they attended a parade and party, before being then taken to Leyte with guerillas in a sailboat canoe, but were met by a US Navy destroyer and picked up.

Pilot Cavins stayed behind with the wounded passenger Peters, and after the rest of the crew was picked up by destroyer, a PBY Catalina was dispatched to Tilod to pickup them up. It failed to reach them until April 4th and took them to San Marcelino. Ironically, the PBY's nose wheel failed to extend, and force landed, but no one was hurt in that crash.

Memorials
B-25J 44-28932 owned by the Collins Foundation is painted to represent this aircraft.

References
Warpath Across The Pacific pages 55, 66, 68-72, 164, 188-189, 218, 243, 289, 392, 423

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