|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF 5th AF 345th BG 498th BS |
Pilot Lt. Col. Clinton U. True (WIA, survived) Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Cicero J. Ellen (WIA) Navigator Captain Joseph P. Mooney (WIA) Engineer S/Sgt Harry E. Snyder (WIA) Radio T/Sgt Stewart O. Stevens (survived) Ditched December 26, 1943 at 2:42pm MACR 1847 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 87-8682. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25D-15 Mitchell serial number 41-30517. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History On August 10, 1943 assigned to the 5th Air Force, 345th Bombardment Group, 498th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS). Modified to a D-1 strafer at Garbutt Field at Townsville. Assigned to Crabb. nicknamed "Crabb 2nd". Later assigned and flown by True. Crew chief Russell. Mission History On December 26, 1943 took off on a low level strike against Cape Gloucester, this B-25 was part of the second flight, fired on by US Navy anti-aircraft gunners as it over flew the landing craft. The bomber was mistaken for an enemy plane, as Japanese aircraft were attacking the area. Hit in the right engine and bomb bay and caught on fire. The right engine was feathered and the B-25 flew away from the formation, loosing altitude then ditched six miles from Silimati Point into Borgen Bay. Fates of the Crew All the crew suffered wounds in the crash, but made it into the life raft and paddled to keep from being swept out to sea. They were not seen by the Navy invasion force that withdrew at night, despite firing several flares. Alone in the dark, the crew opted to risk going ashore at night to try to link up with the Marines, as several of the crew needed immediate medical help and met sentries around 2am and got some help. The next morning, they were evacuated by LST and landed at Buna five days later. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25D-15 Mitchell 41-30517 "30517 converted to D-1 strafer (345th BG, 498th BS, "Crabb 2nd"). Hit by friendly AA fire from ships and ditched into Borgen Bay 6 mi off Silimati Point, New Britain Dec 26, 1943. Crew paddled ashore and returned." Missing Air Crew Report 1847 (MACR 1847) PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-25D Mitchell 41-30517 Warpath Across The Pacific pages 51, 105-106, 214, 382 Tuluvu's Air War Chapter IX by Richard Dunn Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
|
 B-25 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
