Flying “the Hump”
On August 26, 1944, members of the 3rd Bomb Squadron flew "the Hump" of the treacherous Himalayas, making the move from Chabua in Assam, India, to Kweilin (Guilin) in Kwangsi (Guangxi) Province, China. Flying the Hump took planes over rugged terrain, often through violent storms, sudden down drafts, and snow and ice at higher altitudes. It was some of the most dangerous flying in the world―so dangerous, in fact, that every flight over the Hump was logged as a combat mission. The planes all made it across safely, and squadron personnel arrived at their new base on September 1.
Japanese Surrender at Chihkiang
On August 22, 1945, Maj. Gen. Takeo Imai, Vice-Chief of the General Staff of China Expeditionary Army, and his interpreter took part in the surrender of Japanese military forces in China. It took place in Chihkiang (now Zhijiang). This was the most easterly of the 14th Air Force bases at the time the Japanese attempted to capture it, but revitalized Chinese ground troops, supported by the 3rd and 4th Bomb Squadrons and the 5th Fighter Group, stopped the advance and turned the tide of war.
Suicide Mission “Butcher”
As 14th Air Force planes, including bombers and fighters of the Chinese-American Composite Wing, prepared for a suicide mission, code name "Butcher," to attack the infamous Yellow Bridge in an attempt to destroy it "once and for all," a message from the tower announced, "Don't take off. The flight's been canceled." When the 3rd Bomb Squadron's B-25s turned around and taxied back in, someone ran out onto the runway shouting, "The Japs have surrendered!"
Forced Down in Yunnan
On August 14, 1944--Chinese Air Force Day--Capt. Mark T. Seacrest led a two-plane formation to skip-bomb a twin highway bridge located near Lashio, starting point of the Burma Road's south end. Hit by ground fire, both B-25s went down. Capt. Seacrest kept his A/C #714 in the air until he reached friendly territory, but it took eleven days for him and his aircrew to "walk out" and return to their 3rd Bomb Squadron.
Blasting a Burma Train
Capt. Mark T. Seacrest led a mission from Dergaon Field to bomb and strafe rolling stock on the Burma railroad, when he unexpectedly encountered a train.. Cpl. James H. “Hank” Mills recounted his memories of strafing the length of it, blowing it into bits.
Retaking Myitkyina
Mitchells of the 3rd Bomb Squadron provided air support to Chinese ground troops as they retook the city of Myitkyina following a 78-day siege. “They knew we were paving the way.”
Summer Book Giveaway
Enter this Summer Book Giveaway for a chance to win your free copy of THE SPRAY AND PRAY SQUADRON: 3RD BOMB SQUADRON, 1ST BOMB GROUP, CHINESE-AMERICAN COMPOSITE WING IN WORLD WAR II. Winner to be chosen at random and announced on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Near Miss Over Wuchang
James H. Mills, at that time a staff sergeant, clearly remembered his mission to Hankow-Wuchang on July 24, 1945, when he was hit in the leg by a spent bullet that penetrated the B-25’s fuselage but caused no injury to him.
Honoring the Fallen: 1/Lt. Robert J. Koss
1/Lt. Robert J. Koss was the final member of the fatal 3rd Bomb Squadron mission of May 16, 1945, to be returned to his hometown for reburial.
Honoring the Fallen: Sgt. James A. Wadlow
Sgt. James A. Wadlow served as engineer-gunner and operated the waist guns on the ill-fated 3rd Bomb Squadron mission against the Japanese-held airfield at Ichang (Yichang) on May 16, 1945. Their B-25 was shot down by enemy ground fire and all six of the aircrew were lost.
Honoring the Fallen: 2/Lt. Barton L. Wherritt
Flight Officer (posthumously promoted to 2nd Lieutenant) Barton L. Wherritt was a member of a six-man aircrew that perished after their B-25 was shot down over the Japanese-el airfield at Ichang (Yichang).
Honoring the Fallen: 1/Lt. Donald J. Davis
1/Lt. Donald J. Davis was the pilot of a six-man aircrew that was lost when their 3rd Bomb Squadron B-25 was shot down over Ichang (Yichang) on May 16, 1945. His remains were recovered and returned to his home in California for reburial on July 13, 1949.
“They Volunteered Me”
James H. “Hank” Mills, a B-25 crew chief, found his name on the roster for the next day’s mission and participated in 3rd Bomb Squadron operations as an aerial gunner until the end of the war. “They volunteered me,” he later said in an interview.
Shot Down in Burma
Capt. Thomas S. Simpson and a mixed Chinese and American crew of the 3rd (Spray and Pray) Squadron, Chinese-American Composite Wing, were shot down on a mission on July 4, 1944. The narrative that follows describes their miraculous escape from pursuing Japanese soldiers through the swamps and jungles of Burma.
Meeting My Dad
My dad, then Corporal James H. Mills arrived in Karachi to begin training Chinese mechanics in early April 1944. I was born three weeks later in Arkansas. I met him in November 1945, when I was eighteen months old.
Margaret Kincannon’s Blog
From the collection of James H. Mills, this wartime photo taken in Kunming shows the Green Rooster Arch in the foreground and the Golden Horse Arch in the background.