Aircraft
This B-25 had no nose art or nickname. Engines R-2600-13 serial numbers 41-27762 and 41-29470. The bomber had 50 caliber machine gun serial numbers: 1265526, 1291579, 1265573, 1291260, 129??5, 1291?44, 1291555, 1291534, 1265777, 1291395, 1291563, 1264645, 1291576.

Mission History
Took off from Attu Airfield on a mission to attack shipping in the Kurile Strait and Kataoka Harbor off Shumshu Island, with clear weather over the target.

Over the target, this B-25's passed over a large freighter and was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the left engine, causing it to catch fire. It was also believe that his co-pilot Jellinghausen might have been hit. A minute later, it was observed that his left landing gear extended from a loss of hydraulic pressure.

Larsen was heard to state over the radio: "This is Larsen in two-five, in flames and going down into the water." He continued to fly for five minuets at a low altitude of only 300' and then slowly descended, ditching approximately 3/4 of a mile offshore, 1/3 to 1/2 of the way up the coast of Shumshu Island. Observed to crash, Sgt Jack Parker a tail gunner in another B-25 stated (MACR page 6) "It didn't look to me as though anyone could have come out of that crash alive."

Memorials
Declared dead the day of the mission. The entire crew is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Honolulu Cemetery (Punchbowl).

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Last Updated
November 4, 2009

B-25

Map

MIA