Maj Arth Gene 0-432028 406FG/514FS
 

On april 22 Maj Arth Gene L O-432028 from 514 Ftr Sq / 406 Ftr GP died in Belgium. Does someone has additional information ?

Regards
Alain57

Re: Maj Arth Gene 0-432028 406FG/514FS
 

Arth was flying Red 2 in the 377th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group on this day, he was flying with the unit to gain experience. Red flight went down to strafe a train going south between Meppen and Lingen and no ground fire was encountered on the first pass. Capt. Beeson, leading the flight, then led a second attack on the now stopped train and some 20 mm flak was seen. Beeson saw a ship dive into a yard near farmhouse and no chute was seen. Arth was flying in 42-75596. According to MACR 6524, which I summarized but not word for word, he crashed near Wielmarachen.


Kent

Re: Maj Arth Gene 0-432028 406FG/514FS
 

Hello Alain,

the crash place was Biene 2 km north of Lingen/Ems in Germany, time 1822 hrs. Abschußmeldung/German casualty no. J 898.

In Ian McLachlan „Night of the Intruders“ pages 128/129 is noted:
„… Near Biene, on the railway line between Lingen and Meppen, the 377FS attacked a train which halted, seeking protection from anti-aircraft positions protecting a series of radio or radar towers near the track. Flying an assignment with the 362FG to gain experience was Major Gene L Arth from the 406FG whose own Group was working up to its operational debut. Caught in a maelstrom of light flak when diving on the locomotive, Arth died when his P-47 plunged into a farmyard and exploded ….“.

Regards
Leo

Re: Maj Arth Gene 0-432028 406FG/514FS
 

Hello ,

Thank you all for the help , Happy New Year.

Alain57