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Re: eBay: Allied intrest

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaki3152 (Post 343987)

The captured P-51 in #3373 is T9+CK,as you can see the C under the wing

Is that "Ted" Rosarius in the forage cap walking away from the aircraft?

Re: eBay: Allied intrest

Post 3381.......
Photo 2. B-17F 42-5892 "Pregnant Portia" 385BG; on 4BW Mission 84 to Regensburg on 17 Aug. 43 she came down in the Med., the Wing was to fly on to N. Africa (8 ditched in the sea). 1BW went to Schweinfurt, losses 60 in total.

Photo 3. P-47D-26 42-28304 "Sack Time Baby" ( possibly X76) 87FS / 79FG at Fano, Italy before the Group colours were added to the tail. She was damaged at Fano on 13 Dec. 44, the regular pilot was Lt. Joe M. Benito; the sqn. was the "Skeeters" with a mosquito carrying a tommy-gun. This was remembering the swarms at Rentschler Field CT when they were stationed there before deployment.

Photo 1. Not sure as there were several in the Eighth / Fifteenth AFs with this name; the American Air Museum says 42-97165 (301BG) but it has "France" on reverse and the script is not typical Fifteenth. "Lunevill" (Luneville ?) - there was an Inactivation Centre there from March-Aug. 45, the 31st Mobile Repair and Reclamation Centre. She is listed on the 301BG site and there is a photo of the crash (19/7/44 the Munich mission), she has the 301st "Y" in a square, "4" on a disc (4th Group in Wing) and "A" for first Sqn. (32nd). I thought Eighth AF but not sure now??

Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest

Post 3387.

Photo 1. B-17F 42-3422 385BG Gt. Ashfield. MIA 25/2/44 on Mission 235, to Flak.
2. B-24J 42-50800 (probably Fifteenth AF).
3. B-17G 42-32008 385BG, in Olive Drab with replacement unpainted centre tail panel.
4.B-17G 42-97557, 482BG Pathfinder, 422 Night Leaflet Sqn, then 384BG as SU-X.
5. B-17G 42-37717, Special Duties 422 / 858BS then to the ASR Sqn. Boxted.
6. B-17G 42-97298 (398/303/96BGs) belly-landed Snetterton 24/12/45 when gear not lowered.
7. B-17G 42-107180 94BG displayed in Paris with turrets removed. Was GL-K.
8. B-24H 42-52511 466BG U8-E crash-landed in Kent 25/7/44; typical FORD camo division. Red-white tail.
9. B-24J (?) possibly Fifteenth AF.
10. B-24H 42-7492 392BG CI-M. Classed as "War Weary" and sent to Watton Air Depot 10/8/44.
11. B-24H 42-52207 454BG no.63; white lower tail and Wing diamond.
12. B-24H 41-28652 445BG RN-B; insignia Bugs Bunny with catapult and bomb. Black-white tail.
13. P-47 23FS / 36FG "Yellow Tails" serial ??; name seems to be painted over previous name panel.

Nick

Re: eBay: Allied intrest

Thanks Nick. I wonder how effective leaflet drops were. Also, I think a book covering special duties operations would be a worthwhile addition to World War II history.

Ed

Re: eBay: Allied intrest

Opinion was divided on the subject and there were many variations of targets ie. countries or personnel, certainly leaflets ("Nickels") aimed at German troops (ZG61 "Safe Conduct Pass") were found on many POWs. RAF commanders were initially sceptical, AVM Harris stating in 1942 " The only people likely to be affected by nickles are morons. Notoriously, morons are unable to read".
There are at least 2 good books on Eighth AF Special Duty squadrons, "Secret Squadrons of the Eighth" by Pat Carty (Ian Allan ltd), and "Squadron of Deception" by Steve Hutton (Schiffer so you know it's good). The former covers 422/858/406 Leaflet squadrons, the latter 36 (RCM) Sqn.

Regards
Nick