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| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 499th BS |
Pilot 1st Lt William W. Cabell Jr., O-735521 (MIA / KIA) VA Co-Pilot 2nd Lt William W. Timpson, O-742392 (MIA / KIA) Salt Lake County, UT Bombardier 2nd Lt George W. Green, O-673150 (MIA / KIA) TX Engineer S/Sgt Fredrick H. Robatcek, 37292139 (MIA / KIA) Benton County, MN Radio T/Sgt William E. Storck 16072771 Operator (MIA / KIA) IL Gunner S/Sgt Adolph F. Svec 37074998 (MIA / KIA) NB MIA March 5, 1944 MACR 3143 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8418. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30254. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Converted into a B-25D-1 strafer. Wartime History On April 29, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches", 499th Bombardment Squadron (499th BS) "Bat Outta Hell". This aircraft was assigned as a replacement aircraft after the loss of B-25D 41-30025 that force landed on April 26, 1943. Nicknamed "Devil's Enema". Assigned to pilot Hyder and co-pilot Banz and crew chief Raffa. On November 2, 1943 took off piloted by Captain Norman Hyder armed with white phosphorous "Kenney's Cocktails" a low level strike against Rabaul to suppress anti-aircraft guns. Over the target, photographed parked Betty and Zeros parked at the end of steel matt runway at Lakunai Airfield. On November 27, 1943 took off piloted by Captain Norman Hyder on a low level strike against Boram Airfield. When lost, engines: R-2600-13 serial numbers 43-37392 and 43-37372. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns makers unknown serial numbers 562463, 569017, 114224, 113869, 114200, 114191, 114064, 565023, 390236 and 380067. Also armed with a single .30 caliber machine gun maker unknown serial number 11761. Mission History On March 5, 1944 took off piloted by 1st Lt William W. Cabell Jr. as one of eight B-25s on a mission against Yalau Plantation. Over the Huon Gulf in the vicinity of Hopoi, this bomber was seen to side-slip out of formation and last sighted by B-25D 41-30185 piloted 2nd Lt. Sims. Approximately ten minutes later a large flash was observed lighting the coastal area. The weather required instrument flying at the time and observation was impossible. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Search A search was made on the return flight with nil sightings. Memorials The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the mission. Cabell earned the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA at section 27. Timpson earned the Air Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Salt Lake City Cemetery in Salt Lake City, UT. Green earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Westlawn Cemetery in Del Rio, TX. Robatcek earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, posthumously. Storck earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Vandalia Cemetery in Vandalia, MO. Svec earned the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, posthumously. He also has a memorial marker at Schuyler Cemetery in Schuyler, NB. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30254 "30254 (345th BG) lost Mar 5, 1944, SW Pacific. MACR 3143" Missing Air Crew Report 3143 (MACR 3143) created March 7, 1944 American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William W. Cabell Jr. American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William W. Timpson American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - George W. Green American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Fredrick H. Robatcek American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William E. Storck American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Adolph F. Svec FindAGrave - 1Lt William W Cabell, Jr (tablets of the missing) FindAGrave - Lieut William Wymond Cabell, Jr (photo, memorial marker) FindAGrave - 2Lt William W Timpson (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - William Whitney Timpson (memorial marker photo) FindAGrave - 2Lt George W Green (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - George William “Bill” Green (memorial marker) FindAGrave - SSgt Fredrick H Robatcek (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - TSgt William E Storck (tablets of the missing photo) FindAGrave - William Frederick Storck (memorial marker) FindAGrave - SSgt Adolph F Svec (photo, obituary, tablets of the missing photo) FIndAGrave - SSGT Adolph F. Svec (memorial marker photo) Warpath Across The Pacific (2008) pages 368 (March 5, 1944 crew list), 387 (499th BS, 41-30254), 439 (index Devils Enema) 37 (photo), 88 (photo November 2, 1943), 93 (photo) 94 (photo), 113 (co-pilot Banz), 143 (March 5, 1944) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated December 10, 2025 |
 B-25  Map March 5, 1944  MIA 6 Missing |
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