USAAF
13th AF
42nd BG
75th BS
Pilot 1/Lt Robert W Wendling, O-736586 (MIA)
Co-Pilot 2/Lt John F Viets, O-736584 (MIA)
Bomb-Nav 1/Lt George H Stoecker, O-725099 (MIA)
Engineer S/Sgt Harold H Hensley, 18041588 (MIA)
Radio T/Sgt Ward P Haines, Jr, 36121041 (MIA)
Gunner S/Sgt Carl H Martin, 18007120 (MIA)
Passenger Capt Charles D Bergman, O-433049 (42 BG, 390 BS) (MIA)
Passenger 1/Lt John J Schirp, O-1550911 (Ordnance Dept) (MIA)
MIA October 12, 1943 at 1100 L
MACR 1222
Aircraft History
Engines R-2600-13 Serial Numbers 42-273676 and 42-271143.
Mission
History
A pair of B-25s including this bomber took off from Buttons (Espirito Santo) to Cactus (Guadalcanal) to escort a flight of ten P-39 Airacobras, and land at Carney Field.
When the formation reached San Cristobal, they were forced down to 1,000' due to low scattered clouds. About twenty miles from the tip of Guadalcanal the formation ran into a solid front, and made a 180 degree turn and climbed. This bomber disappeared into a cloud along with the P-39s. Radio conversation was heard between the fighters and the bomber. Nothing was seen of this bomber again.
A PBY Catalina searched the general vicinity of south-western Guadalcanal to Russell Island with negative results. Searches continued the following day to San Christobal and produced negative results. PBY Catalinas searched until October 16th for this bomber.
B-25
