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  B-25C-1 "Dirty Dora" Serial Number 41-12971  
USAAF
5th AF
345th BG
499th BS

Former Assignments
38th BG
405th BS
71st BS

Click For Enlargement
345th BG c1943

Click For Enlargement
345th BG, Dec 26, 1943

Aircraft History
Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5606. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-12971. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia.

Wartime History
In September 1942 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 38th Bombardment Group (38th BG), 405th Bombardment Squadron (405th BS). Nicknamed "Dirty Dora".

Starting in September 1942 this B-25 began flying combat missions in New Guinea including the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. During April 1943 assigned to the 71st Bombardment Squadron (71st BS). On July 17, 1943 flown Garbutt Field at Townsville and modified into a B-25D-1 strafer variant at the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville.

Assigned to the 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches", 499th Bombardment Squadron (499th BS). "Bat Outta Hell". Assigned to pilot 1st Lt. Victor Tatelman with crew chief TSgt Perry W. Scott. On October 12, 1943 flew against Rabaul. On October 16, 1943 flew against Wewak and claimed a Ki-43 Oscar shot down.

In December 1943 painted with the squadrons's bat motif on the nose. On February 3, 1944 flew against Dagua. On February 15, 1944 flew against Kavieng. On February 17, 1944 suffered nose gear damage and afterwards repaired by the 376th Service Squadron at Nadzab Airfield. Afterwards, it was assigned to to Lt. Graham.

On August 30, 1944 this bomber was declard war weary having flown 175 combat missions. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise abandoned. Afterwards, pilot Tatelman named his next bomber B-25D "Dirty Dora II" 41-30276.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C Mitchell 41-12971

"12971 condemned Dec 22, 1944. This was "Dirty Dora" 345th BG, 499th BS, Port Moresby."
Warpath Across the Pacific (1996) pages 62-63, 194, 218, 387, 422-423

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Last Updated
August 28, 2024

 

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B-25

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