CRASH OF A B-25D MITCHELL
AT POINT JAHLEEL, MELVILLE ISLAND, NT
ON 30 MARCH 1943

On 30 March 1943, B-25D Mitchell, N5-133 (#41-29713) of the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEI-AF) made  an emergency-landing at Point Jahleel, Melville Island in the Northern Territory. It was attacked by Zeros near Kaimana (Dutch New Guinea) and as a result the way back was beyond its range. The Mitchell ran out of fuel when it had reached Melville Island. Don Moore was the tail gunner during the last flight of this Mitchell. 

The aircraft was Struck Off Charge (SOC) on 2 April 1943.

Photo:- Don Moore via Gerben Tornij

Veterans Ernie Low on the left and Don Moore revisiting the remains of B-25D Mitchell, N5-133 in 1986.

Ernie Low and Don Moore

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Ed Ragas, Editor of Bulletin Air War 1939-1945 http://fly.to/bulletin for his assistance with this home page.

I'd also like to thank Gerben Tornij for his assistance with this home page.

REFERENCE BOOKS

"De Nederlandse Mitchells"
by Gerben J. Tornij, 1999, ISBN 90-9013058-6)
This book is still available (http://www.flash-aviation.nl/)

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 16 March 2002

This page last updated 04 March 2020