Aircraft History
Assigned to the 345th BG in March 1943 with McLean as pilot and S/Sgt. Andrew M. Rezin as crew chief. Nicknamed "Dittum-Dattum" and nose art painted before leaving Walterboro, SC. Ferried overseas by McLean as far as New Caledonia.

Mission History
After experienceing engine trouble, this bomber made an emergency landing on one engine at Plaines des Giacs Airfield on New Caledonia. None of the crew were injured in the landing.

Excerpt from Warpath Across the Pacific:
"...developed engine trouble and turned back to the airfield. The crew chief, S/Sgt. Andrew M. Rezin, recommended that McLean feather the engine, but the pilot wanted to finish his 180 degree turn first. This was just completed when flames began licking from the cowling. McLean shut it down immediately. The B-25 made it back to the airfield on one engine and was making a straightin approach when McLean discovered that an Australian liaison aircraft had landed and was left sitting on the runway while the crew went to have tea. The only thing he could do was land short beyond the parked plane. There wasn't enough runway left to get the plane stopped and DITTUM-DATTUM ran off the end of the strip, shearing off the landing gear before it slid to a halt. The uninjured crew quickly abandoned the plane, which burst into flames and was destroyed."

References
Warpath Across The Pacific pages 20, 391, 417

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

B-25

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