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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 499th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. James H. MacWilliam, Jr. (survived) Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Leo E. Fleniken, Jr. (survived) Engineer SSgt Charles H. Sweet (survived) Radio TSgt Robert D. Stewart (survived) Gunner SSgt Jack V. Menefee (survived) Ditched April 16, 1944 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Inglewood. Constructors Number 87-8185. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-5 Mitchell serial number 41-30020. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Modified into a B-25D-1 strafer variant by the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. Wartime History During March 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG), 499th Bombardment Squadron (499th BS) "Bat Outta Hell". Nicknamed "Stingeroo". Assigned to pilot Kurowski with crew chief Hennen. Mission History On April 16, 1944 took off from Nadzab Airfield No. 3 piloted by 1st Lt. James H. MacWilliam, Jr. on a medium altitude bombing mission over Hollandia. Returning, the formation encountered intense thunderstorms and bad weather. Leaving the target, an oil leak was observed on the right engine but decided to stay with the formation but later the engine ran away. This bomber pulled out of formation as the propeller caught fire then ditched into the sea. The entire crew survived the ditching exiting the cockpit. The radio operator was trapped by the turret but managed to push his way out just before the plane sank. Afterwards, the mission was dubbed "Black Sunday". Fates of the Crew The entire crew assembled and inflated their life raft and used the "Gibson Girl" radio to call for help. After dark, their life raft drifted in the rain and by morning were roughly two miles off Kar Kar Island (Karkar). After 19 hours at sea, rescued by U.S. Navy (USN) PBY Catalina from USS Half Moon. Afterwards, the flying boat landed to rescue an A-20 crew roughly 30 miles off Madang. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-5 Mitchell 41-30020 "30020 (345th BG, 499th BS, *Stingeroo*) ditched east of Kar Kar Island due to engine failure Apr 16, 1944 during infamous Black Sunday mission to Hollandia. Crew rescued." Black Sunday (2000) pages ? Warpath Across the Pacific (1996) pages 154-156 (April 16, 1944), 386 (499th BS, 41-3020), 436 (499th BS roster), 443 (index MacWilliams) 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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