Loss of 2nd Lt. William Jefferson, P-38 pilot, on 10.VI.1944?
 

Does someone have details on the loss of 2nd Lt. William Jefferson, P-38 pilot, on 10.VI.1944? Reportedly, he flew P-38J, BuNo. 43-28818, when disappeared over the Balkans during a mission to Rumania on that day.

Thanks, in advance.

Re: Loss of 2nd Lt. William Jefferson, P-38 pilot, on 10.VI.1944?
 

Hello,
POW, MACR 5761

Alex

Re: Loss of 2nd Lt. William Jefferson, P-38 pilot, on 10.VI.1944?
 

MACR 5761 covers his loss. Following is the report written by Lt. Jackson B. Wells on Jefferson' it is word for word. "For mechanical reasons I had to turn back from the Ploesti mission at the Danube River 8 miles SSW of Vidin. Lt. Jefferson was flying number 3 in the first flight and I was flying number 4. When I last saw him he was flying straight and level." On the first page of the MACR, there was no cause listed, i.e., aircraft, anti-aircraft fire, etc. Hopefully someone else can supply further information.

Kent

Re: Loss of 2nd Lt. William Jefferson, P-38 pilot, on 10.VI.1944?
 

From - 82nd FG Honor Roll, may be of use .

06/10/044
The great complex of air bases near Foggia, Italy, bustles with activity as the sun rises. Forty-six 82nd FG Lockheed P-38J Lightnings from the 95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons, each carrying a 1,000-pound bomb on the right wing shackle and a 310-gallon ferry drop tank on the left, shake the Foggia No. 11/Vincenzo airfield as they taxi for takeoff. Over the Adriatic, 48 1st Lighter Group P-38Js of the 27th, 71st and 94th FS flying escorts will join them. One after another over southern Italy, nearly 100 P-38s take wing and climb to altitude, Their target: Ploesti-the major oil refinery complex in Europe and more than 600 miles away across the Adriatic Sea and over the mountains of Yugoslavia. The mission: to dive-bomb the Romano-Americano oil refinery, which is the primary producer of high-grade aviation gasoline for the Luftwaffe. It will be recorded as the blackest day in the history of the American fighter forces in WW II

A list of P-38 losses for 10th June 44
June 10, 1944 - ? - 55 - ? - C/l on rtn
June 10, 1944 - 42-67659 - 5690 - 474 - 1Lt. R.F.Doty - KIA
June 10, 1944 - 43-28688 - 6069 - 82 -1Lt. T. D. Hodgson - POW
June 10, 1944 - 43-28723 - 5760 - 82 - 2Lt J. F. Cannady jr - Rumania - KIA
June 10, 1944 - 43-28818 - 5761 - 82 -2Lt. W. H. Jefferson - POW
June 10, 1944 - 43-28789 - 5765 - 82 - Capt. E. H. Jackson - Rumania - POW
June 10, 1944 - 43-28806 -5763 - 82 - 2Lt. C. E. Welch - Over target - KIA
June 10, 1944 - 43-28808 - 5764 - 82 -2Lt. W. T. Leslie - Yugoslavia - EVD
June 10, 1944 - 43-28821 - 5757 - 82 - 2Lt. J. P. McMonegal - Rumania - POW
June 10, 1944 - 43-28807 - 6037 - 1 - J. M. Joye - Rumania - KIA
June 10, 1944 - 42-104110 - 6322 - 1 - H. Noone - Rumania - POW
June 10, 1944 - 42-104330 - 5855 - 1 - W.D.McClellan - Yugoslavia - WIA/RTD
June 10, 1944 - 43-28549 - 6036 - 1 - A.J. Bishoff - Rumania - KIA
June 10, 1944 - 42-104009 - 6030 - 1 - R.J.Geyman - Rumania - POW
June 10, 1944 - 43-28732 - 5762 - 1 - Lt.Albert F. Smith - Rumania - MIA/FOD(Still MIA)
June 10, 1944 - 43-28704 - 5634 -1 - Lt. C.C. Hoenshell - Yugoslavia - KIA
June 10, 1944 - 42-104058 -5781 - 1 - George J. Johnson jr - Bucharest - KIA
June 10, 1944 - 42-104072 - 5778 -1 - Joseph H.Jackson - Rumania - KIA
June 10, 1944 - 43-28741 -5857 - 1 - Ralph W. Hisey jr - Rumania - POW
June 10, 1944 - 43-28812 - 5637 - 1 - Lt. Vernon C. Baker - Rumania - KIA
June 10, 1944 - 43-28550 - NIL -479 - W.B. McKay accident
June 10, 1944 - 43-28772 - 5776 - 1 - R.M.Janci jr - Yugoslavia - POW
June 10, 1944 - 43-28536 - 5665 -1 -Willie B.Flack - Rumania - KIA
June 10, 1944 - 42-104089 - 5642 - 1 - William L. Potter - Rumania - KIA
June 10, 1944 - 42-104281 - 5856 - 82 - 1Lt. C.C.Laugienour jr - Rumania - KIA

Alex

Re: Loss of 2nd Lt. William Jefferson, P-38 pilot, on 10.VI.1944?
 

Just an FYI - Typically the term BuNo (Bureau Number) is used for US Navy & US Marine Corps aircraft. US Army/Air Force use the term S/N (Serial Number). :)

Re: Loss of 2nd Lt. William Jefferson, P-38 pilot, on 10.VI.1944?
 

Thank you, Alex, for the prompt and detailed answer, as usual.
Two details still remain to be answered: what caused the demise of Lt. Jefferson's P-38 and where did he land?

Thanks, Mike, for the correction. Much appreciated.

Re: Loss of 2nd Lt. William Jefferson, P-38 pilot, on 10.VI.1944?
 

While initiating the dive bombing on Romana-Americana without escort ( 1st FG missed the rendezvous then got tight up with target of opportunity at Pipera and Otopeni ) the 97th were attacked by 30 plus IAR-80 fighters from various directions. Jefferson (element leader) and McMonegal were hit and brought down by the Romanian fighters. Ditching deatils are not known ( from Charlie P memoires ). Jefferson was RCAF trained US citizen who got his pilot wings already in 1941. By 1944 he was again with AAC discharged by RCAF as WO ,retrained on P-38 and commissioned as 2nd Lt.