"DERAILING THE TOKYO
EXPRESS"
B-25J-11
MITCHELL BOMBERS OF THE "AIR APACHES" (345th B.G.)
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Overall size approx. 20" x 28" including 2" border with descriptive copy about the historic and deadly "Air Apaches."
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SPECIAL EDITION OF 50 PRINTS SIGNED IN THE BORDER BY THE ORIGINAL PILOT OF "LAZY DAISY MAE"
2nd LT. ROMAN OHNEMUS, FIRST B-25 PILOT TO LAND IN THE PHILIPPINES AFTER THE INVASION.
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Counter-Signed Edition by 2nd Lt. Roman Ohnemus (50 S/N) - $74.95 |
Artist-Only Signed Giclee Edition (350 S/N) - $64.95 |
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The "LAZY DAISY MAE" and squadron mate "CACTUS KITTEN" both B-25J-11 Mitchell Bombers of the 501st Bomb Squadron, 345th Bomb Group maneuver wildly in their deadly bid to contest Japanese coastal shipping in late 1944. The 345th "AIR APACHES", which were based in Biak, West New Guinea in October of 1944, perfected the hazardous art of low-level destruction against the ever diminishing presence of the Japanese naval and merchant fleets. 2nd Lt. Roman Ohnemus had the honor of piloting "LAZY DAISY MAE" during the first landing of a B-25 in the Philippines after MacArthur's successful return. On October 28th, 1944, 2nd Lts Ohnemus and Jay Moore flew 345th Group HQ staff members to Tacloban on Leyte shortly after the capture of the airstrip there. The "LAZY DAISY MAE" was to disappear mysteriously from a 345th Group formation while on a mission to support the invasion of Luzon on 9 January, 1945. It was never heard from again. |
The nose-art of B-25J-11 #43-36012 "LAZY DAISY MAE" and #43-36041 "CACTUS KITTEN" were completed by 501st B.S. Intelligence S/Sgt George M. Blackwell. The lettering was done by Cpl. Joseph Merenda. "CACTUS KITTEN" was lost to AAA fire over the Saigon River on 28 April, 1945. The aircraft disintegrated in mid-air after departing the target area. It crashed 19 miles south-southwest of the center of Saigon city. One crewmember was observed bailing out at 200 feet before impact. There were no survivors. |
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