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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 90th BS Former Assignment 13th BS  3rd BG c1943  RAAF c1943 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Charles "Chuck" Howe (survived) Force Landed April 16, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 82-5723. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25C Mitchell serial number 41-13088. During January 1942, ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 13th Bombardment Squadron (13th BS) operating from Charters Towers Airfield. Nicknamed "El Diablo III" (The Devil III in Spanish) outlined in white with the nose art of the silhouette of a devil figure. This was the third B-25 in the squadron with this nickname, previously B-25C "El Diablo II" 41-12488 and B-25C "El Diablo" 41-12511. During 1942, this B-25 flew bombing missions in New Guinea. In late 1942, converted into a B-25C-1 strafer version by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. During January 1943 or February 1943 returned to the 13th Bombardment Squadron (13th BS) and continued to fly combat missions. Next, assigned to the 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS) to pilot Lt. Robert D. Chatt who nicknamed it "Chatter Box" in capitals with double quotes with shark mouth and eye on each side of the nose. In early March 1943 participated in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Also, practice strafing and bombing missions against Moresby Wreck (SS Pruth) off Port Moresby. Mission History On April 16, 1943 at 9:00am took off from 17 Mile Drome (Durand) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Charles "Chuck" Howe to test the engines after being serviced. During the flight, Howe feathered the one engine during tests at low altitude and accidentally hit a tree and force landed in Veimauri swamp at the base of a hill at roughly Lat 9.04 Long 146.52 to the west of Port Moresby. Officially, this B-25 was written off on May 6, 1943. Fates of the Crew The crew survived unhurt and walked towards 30 Mile (Rogers Drome). Along the way, they met villagers that took them to Australians with a radio to arrange transport. The next day, they returned to 17 Mile Drome (Durand). Wreckage Afterwards, the B-25 was visited by U.S. Army personnel that stripped usable parts including the machine guns then abandoned the rest of the plane. Memorials Chatt passed away on February 26, 2011 at age 93. He is buried at Tekamah Cemetery in Tekamah, NB. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25C-1 Mitchell 41-13088 "13088 salvaged May 6, 1943" PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25C Mitchell 41-13088 Forty of the Fifth by Michael Claringbould (1999) pages 62-68 Pacific Powerhouse depicts this bomber during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea FindAGrave - Robert D. “Bob” Chatt (photo, obituary, grave photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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 B-25  Photo Archive  9.04 146.52 |
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