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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. Converted into a B-25D-1 strafer version by 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" 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. Mission History On November 2, 1943 took off on a mission against Rabaul. Dropped its bombs on a 7,000 to 8,500 ton transport in Simpson Harbor. Upon leaving the target area, fighters intercepted and knocked out one engine. Because the propeller could not be feathered, a maximum speed of 145mph and a height of 200' could only be maintained as the bomber departed the target area. Returning from the mission, this B-25 was able to reach Kiriwina Airfield but was unable to clear the trees at the end of the runway and instead ditched into the sea, without injury to any of the crew. Rescue Soon 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 Oct 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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