Air Apaches of the Pacific

This video tells the story of one of the most famous units of the campaign to blunt the Japanese advance on New Guinea in the early days of WWII. The 345th Bomb Group, flying B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, was formed in November 1942 and deployed to the Southwest Pacific theater in April 1943. During its 26 months of combat, the unit, called the Air Apaches, flew more than 10,000 missions, sinking 260 Japanese vessels, destroying 260 Japanese planes on the ground and 107 more in aerial combat. The 345th ultimately participated in nine major military operations in the Asia-Pacific theater and became one of the most decorated units of the war. Museum docent and U.S. Air Force veteran Matt Ouding describes its innovative low-level tactics and combat history, and how it used B-25 configurations never thought of when the aircraft was designed. After Matt's presentation, you'll see the Museum's B-25, bearing symbols of the 345th, taxi out and make a low pass over the Colorado Springs Airport.
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[@mattcwatkins]

Great presentation. Thank you! My great uncle was a B-25 pilot in Leyte and San Marcellino in the 498th and read through 13 mission reports he was involved. Incredibly interesting and remember him telling stories in the 70's.

[@laurajerbi9818]

Saw this in person…was chock full of information. Great presenter.

[@johnnyallred3753]

Great presentation the air ARCHIE'S and there uses of the B-25 Gun Bus.

[@B25Mitchel-qy5kg]

Great presentation of a great aircraft and crews.
I honor my father who trained at Columbia SC and then was attached to the 499th out of Biak. Because he could talk well, they made him an instructor pilot, although he did fly many combat missions in 44' and 45'. Dad went to work for American Airlines in 46', the same year I was born and I spent many hours with him learning how to fly although my legs weren't long enough to reach the pedals, ha. WWII produced the greatest generation including the wives who went to work for different aircraft company's. Where did we get these (wo)men?.

[@danwade3914]

My Dad was a Navigator on a B-25 in the 500th Squadron (Rough Raiders) during WW II, I believe there were several different locations that the pilots were trained, then after completing Pilot training they went to Columbia SC and trained as units, same with the other crewmen, they had Navigation and Gunnery schools at several different bases within the U.S. and then then when were assigned to the 345th they sent to Columbia SC, I know my Dad spent some time training at or near Knox College for Navigation, and somewhere out west for Gunnery school before heading to SC. and then finally to Savannah before flying to San Fransisco then to SW Pacific.
That B-25 “In the Mood” attended a 500th Reunion based at Reno NV, back in 2003, and flew with 2 other B-25s and a P-51 over Lake Tahoe, in a Mock Bomb raid, while the 500th attendees were on a tour boat on the lake. It was amazing.
Those were America’s Greatest Generation.

[@mr.hermitsquid2694]

Another great presentation! Loved the external and internal shots. Gives the viewer a unique perspective. Only recommendation is more of it! Great job, and thanks for posting it. Wasn't able to make it to this briefing, so I am happy that it is here.

[@falconinflight6235]

How get a man to fly over a war zone just 3 xs before being kill. The 8th Airforce lost the most men in WWII.