B-25D "Tondelayo" of the 500th Bomb
Squadron, 345th Bomb Group sits on the ramp in 1944. She is the most famous
airplane in the squadron when on 18 October 1943, after bombing a Japanese
ship, was under constant attack from appoximately 50 Japanese fighter planes
for 75 minutes. She had her right engine shot out, skimming over the St.
George's Channel near Rabaul, her top turret gunner downed 5 enemy zeros
making him an ace! Four other planes crashed into the water as they
misjudged their distance. 1st Lt. Ralph G. Wallace was at the controls and
her crew earned the Silver Star for bravery for this mission. Tondelayo
returned to combat after seven long months of repairs! (Courtesy Dave Bernier) |
