By the end of the Second World War, 9,800 B-25s had been built, and the aircraft had earned a reputation for durability and reliability.
United States Air Force General William “Billy” Mitchell was a pioneer of American airpower in his time. The first man to prove that modern warplanes could be key to destroying naval warships in combat, Mitchell was hated at the time for his visionary thoughts. The cult of the battleship reigned supreme in the U.S. military during the interwar years—and no one was going to talk America’s military chiefs out of that perception.
The Billy Mitchell Connection
Indeed, Mitchell had predicted the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor years before it happened—and was widely dismissed and ridiculed for daring to suggest such a possibility. It was only later, after he had passed, that the military even began to recognize Mitchell as someone worthy of honor.
One such point of recognition came in the form of the B-25 Mitchell, a twin-engine propeller aircraft designed in 1938 as a response to the U.S. Army Air Corps’ requirement for a new medium bomber capable of delivering substantial payloads over medium-term distances.
North American Aviation, a relatively new defense contractor at the time, submitted a design known as the NA-62, later redesignated as the B-25.
The B-25 first flew in 1940 and entered service a year later, just as the United States was fully entering the Second World War. The mid-wing monoplane would go on to be a real workhorse of the US military in every theater of the epic World War II.
The B-25 Was a Conventional—but Highly Adaptable—Warplane
Powered by two Wright R-2600 Cyclone radial engines, each producing around 1,700 horsepower, the B-25’s robust design allowed it to to carry a bomb load of up to 3,000 pounds. It was equipped with a variety of defensive and offensive armaments, too. These included machine guns and, in some versions, a 75mm cannon.
The aircraft had a crew of five or six, typically including a pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, navigator, radio operator, and gunners. These birds had a maximum speed of approximately 300 miles per hour and range of around 1,350 miles.
One of the Mitchell’s greatest features was its adaptability. North American Aviation produced multiple variants of the B-25 Mitchell tailored to specific combat roles and environments. The B-25B, for instance, was the bird famously used in the Doolittle Raid on Japan just after the Pearl Harbor attack. That aircraft was given incredibly light armaments—cutting weight wherever humanly possible—and optimized for long-range missions. Conversely, the B-25G and B-25H were equipped with heavy forward-firing armaments, including the aforementioned 75mm cannon, making them formidable in ground attack and anti-shipping roles. Meanwhile, the B-25J, the most produced variant of the series, featured enhanced defensive armament and was used extensively in both bombing and strafing missions. This versatility made the B-25 a favorite among crews and commanders alike.
The B-25 Had An Impressive Service History
In the Pacific Theater, the B-25 excelled in low-level strafing and skip-bombing attacks against Japanese shipping and airfields.
The B-25H, with its 75mm cannon, was particularly effective in destroying fortified targets and sinking ships. In the European theater, the B-25s were used primarily for tactical bombing, targeting bridges, rail yards, and enemy supply lines. In North Africa, the bombers supported Allied ground forces during the campaigns against German and Italian forces.
The aircraft’s ability to operate from rough, forward airfields made it invaluable in these diverse environments.
The B-25 played a substantial role in anti-submarine warfare, particularly in the Atlantic, where modified versions patrolled for German U-Boat. Additionally, the aircraft was used for reconnaissance, transport, and training purposes, further demonstrating its versatility.
By the end of the war, 9,800 B-25s had been built, and the aircraft had earned a reputation for durability and reliability. Crews appreciated the ease of handling and ability to absorb damage, often returning safely despite significant battle scars.
It was, without a doubt, a warplane that symbolized the pinnacle of American engineering wartime aviation. That it was named after the great Billy Mitchell illustrates how versatile and innovative this plane was—and why another plane like it may never be made again.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / BlueBarronPhoto.
