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  B-25C "Der Schpy" Serial Number 41-12496  
USAAF
5th AF
38th BG
71st BS

Former Assignments
3rd BG
90th BS
30th Service Squadron

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Parer June 16, 1942

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3rd BG 1942

Aircraft History
Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5131. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12496. Assigned to the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number N5-1?? (last two digits unknown possibly N5-132, N5-134, N5-135, N5-136 or N6-151). Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Brisbane arriving by late March 1942.

Wartime History
On March 25, 1942 one of twelve B-25C Mitchells retained from the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEIAF) by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) at Brisbane. On March 30, 1942 assigned to the 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS) to pilot 1st Lt. Ralph L. Schmidt with crew chief Nichols.

On April 8, 1942 eleven B-25C Mitchells from 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG) were selected for the mission (eight from 13th Bombardment Squadron and three from 90th Bombardment Squadron) are selected for the Royce Mission and flown from Charters Towers Airfield to Archerfield Airfield near Brisbane for installation of 12,000 gallon axillary fuel tanks in the bomb bay for the planned flight to the Philippines. On April 9, 1942 by the afternoon all the tanks were installed and tested for leaks. On April 10, 1942 in the morning the Mitchells flew back to Charters Towers Airfield where last minute preparations were made and the bombers crammed with additional supplies to deliver including medical, small arms ammunition and tobacco products.

Royce Mission
On April 11, 1942 at 1:00am the B-25s plus three B-17E Flying Fortresses took off from Charters Towers Airfield on a cross country flight to Batchelor Field near Darwin. While becoming airborne, this B-25 clipped a pipe sticking up on a parked truck that tore the tread on the right main wheel, the damage was not discovered until they landed and were ordered to wait for a replacement tire then fly alone to join the rest of the bombers.

After the Royce Mission in late April 1942, nicknamed "Der Schpy", an amalgam of the pilot's surname, 'Schmidt' and the word "spy" stenciled on the left side of the nose and likely inspired by the World War I era comic by Alfred Leete "Schmidt the Spy and His Messages To Berlin". A scoreboard was painted below the pilot's window with bomb markings indicating missions flown.

On April 28, 1942, took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby piloted by 1st Lt. Ralph L. Schmidt and co-pilot Leonidas Baker on a solo photo reconnaissance mission against Lae Airfield. Departing the target and entering clouds, this B-25 was attacked by two enemy aircraft: A6M2 Zero piloted by Arita and A6M2 Zero 1575 piloted by PO3c Yoshimitsu Maeda. Damaged, it was able to return to 14-Mile Drome. On landing, their damaged tire burst when the breaks were applied and the bomber came to a halt on the wheel hub, digging it into the runway. Afterwards, repaired during the day and night, using a tire from an abandoned B-26 Marauder.

On April 29, 1942 in the morning took off for Horn Island Airfield then onward to Charters Towers Airfield for further repairs and was ready for service by May 2, 1942.

On May 23, 1942 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Ralph L. Schmidt as one of three B-25s flown from Charters Towers Airfield back to 7 Mile Drome to stage for search missions.

On May 24, 1942 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Ralph L. Schmidt as one of three B-25s that took off flying search area "C" over the Solomon Sea.

On May 25, 1942 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Ralph L. Schmidt as one of three B-25s that took off flying search area "C" over the Solomon Sea. Over the Buka Passage, spotted a two masted ship at anchor off a small island and strafed the vessel. Anti-aircraft fire damaged one of the elevator cables and damaged the hydraulic system causing the fluid to leak out. Returning, Sgt Albert Nichols had to hand crank the gear down and did not lock but the bomber landed safely at 7 Mile Drome.

On June 16, 1942 photographed by Australian war correspondent Damien Parer parked at 7 Mile Drome with the crew seated near the nose prior to a mission.

On June 25, 1942 at 12:30pm took off from Charters Towers Airfield piloted by 1st Lt. Ralph L. Schmidt and despite bad weather had to climb to 16,000' before reaching 7 Mile Drome to stage for the first night mission flown by the 3rd Bomb Group (3rd BG) to support the Australian Army 2/5 Commando Squadron raid on Salamaua. After the crews were briefed and at a meal, in the evening, took off from 7 Mile Drome as one of three B-25s armed with a mixed bomb load of 100 pound bombs and incendiaries to bomb buildings at Salamaua. Due to bad weather, the three B-25 flew along the southern coast via Hood Point then turned northward to Buna then followed the north coast to Salamaua. Over the target, Schmidt made two practice bomb runs. On his third run released seven bombs from 4,000' with four hitting their targets. On the fourth bomb run, Schmidt dove to 800' and released his remaining eight bombs and incendiary clusters with all hitting the target aside from one that hung up and released late. Finally, this B-25 turned for a fifth run allowing the gunners to strafe the target then returned to land at 7 Mile Drome.

During late July 1942 this plane was under repair and not flown. On July 26, 1942 regular pilot 1st Lt. Ralph L. Schmidt went Missing In Action (MIA) piloting B-25C Mitchell 41-12470 shot down by Zeros and crashed inland from the north coast of New Guinea. Afterwards, this bomber was flown by other pilots including 1st Lt. Wesley "Wes" E. Dickinson, Ray Hosbach and 1st Lt. William "Bill" Johnson. This bomber was assigned to crew chief Bumgardner and Lee.

In early August 1942 operated from 30 Mile Drome near Port Moresby to stage for bombing missions and was photographed with Papuans.

By early November 1942 this bomber had flown at least 12 missions as the scoreboard had 12 bomb markings indicating missions flown. On November 9, 1942 transfered to the 30th Service Squadron for an overhaul.

Afterwards, assigned to the 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG), 71st Bombardment Squadron (71st BS) and retained the Der Schpy nickname and used as a "Fat Cat" transport for non-combat flights.

On November 23, 1942 took off piloted by 1st Lt. Edward J. Gorenflo and force landed at Townsville and was damaged and written off. Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
Individual Aircraft Record Card (IARC) - B-25C Mitchell Serial Number 41-12496
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C Mitchell 41-12496
"12496 (MSN 82-5131) to Netherlands East Indies AF as N5-147 [sic] Feb 19, 1942 but ferried to Australia and impressed Mar 25, 1942 by USAAF and assigned to 3rd BG. In accident May 3, 1943 [sic]."
Harvest of the Grim Reapers Vol. 1 (2021) pages 147-157 (Royce Mission), 158 (nicknamed Der Schpy), 172-175 (April 28, 1942), 234 (Profile 12) 239 (Profile 12 detail), 262 (May 23-25, 1942), 277 (photo Parer June 16, 1942), 281 (June 25, 1942), 285-287 (July 4, 1942), 297 (photo Parer June 16, 1942), 323 (photo 30 Mile Drome), 464 (89th BS, 41-12496), 476 (Profile 12 description), 507 (index Der Schpy)
Sun Setters of the Southwest Pacific Area (2011) Appendix III AIII-5 (71st BS, 41-12496), Index ix-5 (Gorenflo)
Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information

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Last Updated
May 3, 2022

 

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B-25

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