|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 90th BS |
Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood as the sixteenth B-25C Mitchell manufactured. Constructors Number 82-5084. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12449. Purchased by the Netherlands for the Militaire Luchtvaart (ML-KNIL) Army Aviation Corps of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army for use in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). Assigned to the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number N5-1?? (last two digits unknown, likely in the range of N5-164 to N5-184. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia and retained by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Wartime History On April 30, 1942 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS). No known nickname or nose art. Flown by a variety of pilots including 1st Lt. William R. "Red" Johnson. Later, a shark mouth motif was painted on the nose. This B-25 operated from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby and flew bombing missions in New Guinea. On June 9, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome on a bombing mission over Lae. Over the target, slightly damaged by A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) and sustained damage to the tail cone and left rudder from 7.7mm machine gun bullets. Afterwards, the damaged tail rudder was documented by Australian war correspondent Damien Parer at 7 Mile Drome. On July 26, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome piloted by W. R. Johnson as one of five B-25s from the 13th Bombardment Squadron (13th BS) and 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS) on a bombing mission against Japanese seaplanes off Gasmata, on the south coast of New Britain. Over the north coast of New Guinea, intercepted by A6M2 Zeros and the formation jettisoned their bombs and aborted the mission turning back for Port Moresby. During the air combat, the Zeros shot down B-25C 41-12470 piloted by 1st Lt. Ralph L. Schmidt (MIA) and B-25C "Aurora" 41-1279 piloted by Captain Frank Peter Bender (survived, 3 KIA). Meanwhile, the two remaining bombers, this plane and B-25C "Boomerang" 41-12499 piloted by 1st Lt. John R. Linn continued a running fight all the way back to Port Moresby. The plexiglass on this B-25 was shot away by an exploding 20mm cannon shell. All but three Zeros turned back when the bombers were within ten minutes of 7 Mile Drome. By the end of the mission, only one machine gun was operative aboard the two bombers. Lt. Linn’s turret gunner fed ammunition from his right gun to his left in order to cover both planes as best as possible. Returning, Linn circled 7-Mile while Johnson landed with one engine smoking. Afterwards, the damage sustained was repaired. During January 1943 converted to a B-25C-1 strafer and resumed flying combat missions. During early March 1943 participated in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Later, this B-25 was withdrawn from combat duty and nicknamed "Fat Cat" and used for supply runs to Australia to procure fresh food and alcohol. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C Mitchell 41-12449 "12449 (MSN 82-5084) to Netherlands Indies AF with serial in N5-164/184 range Apr 1, 1942 but ferried to Australia and retained by USAAF" Flying Buccaneers (1977) page 62 (photo) Oz@War "Fat Cat" of the 3rd BG" Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 B-25  Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
