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| USAAF 5th AF 3rd BG 90th BS    3rd BG c1943  3rd BG c1943 |
Pilot Major John "Jock" P. Henebry (survived) Plainfield, IL Co-Pilot 1st Lt Norman J. Spitzer (survived) Crew S/Sgt Cornel J. Biskupski (survived) Crew S/Sgt John Manovich (survived) Crew S/Sgt Joseph M. Garber (survived) Crashed November 2, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8481. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-10 Mitchell serial number 41-30316. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Modified into a B-25D-1 strafer variant at the 4th Air Depot at Garbutt Field in Townsville. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS). Nicknamed "Notre Dame De Victoire" (French: "Our Lady of Victory") by Major John P. "Jock" Henebry after his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame. Converted to a strafer with machine guns installed in the nose. On October 12, 1943 took off piloted took off from Dobodura piloted by Major John "Jock" P. Henebry on a low level bombing mission against Rabaul. Aboard was Lee Van Atta, war correspondent from International News Service (INS) who wrote an account Eyewitness Story of Rabaul Smash. Mission History On November 2, 1943 took off from Dobodura piloted by Major John "Jock" P. Henebry on a low level bombing mission against Rabaul. Over the target, dropped its bombs on a 7,000 to 8,500 ton transport in Simpson Harbor. Departing, intercepted by fighters and one engine was knocked out with a propeller that could not be feathered. Damaged, the bomber could only fly at a maximum speed of 145 mph at 200' altitude but managed to reach Kiriwina Airfield. Unable to clear the trees at the end of the runway ditched into the sea off Kiriwina Island without injury to any of the crew. Rescue Shortly after ditching, the entire crew was rescued by a PT Boat and returned to duty. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-10 Mitchell 41-30316 The Grim Reapers (2002) page 112, 113 (Eyewitness Story of Rabaul Smash by Lee Van Atta), 114-128 Eyewitness Story of Rabaul Smash by Lee Van Atta October 12, 1943 PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D Mitchell pilot Henebry Thanks Edward Rogers for additional information 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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