NARRATIVE

The North American B-25 Mitchell is considered to be the best American medium bomber of World War II. Its excellent performance and good handling characteristics gave the Allies a versatile aircraft that could be used in any combat environment. With a range of 1350 miles, the B-25J could carry a 3,000 pound bomb load to the enemy. During World War II, the Mitchell became the Army Air Force’s most widely employed medium bomber. This rugged and versatile warplane performed with distinction in the skies over North Africa, Italy, Europe, China, Burma and also the Pacific, where B-25s were modified to carry a 75mm cannon, or up to twelve machine guns, in a solid nose for strafing missions. Attacking at low level, these gunships were used with devastating effect against Japanese surface vessels. The Mitchell flew in Allied squadrons in every theater of World War Two and was widely used in the strategic bombing of Germany prior to the 1944 D-Day invasion. A total of 9,816 Mitchell’s were built giving it the largest production run of any twin-engine bomber in American history.