PBJ-1J (B-25) 'Mitchell'

During the battle for territory in the Pacific against the Japanese in March 1944 the PBJ flew the first night raids at Rabaul, Kavieng and Bougainville followed by daylight raids. The nine Marine Corps PBJ squadrons lost a total of 26 Mitchells in combat and another 19 to operational accidents. The PBJ is also known as the B-25 medium bomber. 706 PBJs were procured for two Navy squadrons and seven Marine Corps squadrons. Some PBJs were armed with a 75mm cannon (“G” & “H” models) and others with 14 forward firing .50cal machine guns (“J” models).