27. November 1944, 1st. Lt. James F. Cross, 353FG/352 FS
 

Hello,

looking for all Information`s about the Loss of 1st. Lt. James F. Cross, 353FG / 352 FS on 27. November 1944 near Altenau-Harz (Lower Saxony).

Every help in this case is welcome....

Greetings streak98 (Dirk)

Re: 27. November 1944, 1st. Lt. James F. Cross, 353FG/352 FS
 

Good morning and a happy Easter, Dirk !

Lt. James F. Cross a/c (P-51D-15-NA, AAF-s/n 44-15388) went during an engagement with German fighters at about 13:00 hrs into a steep dive and crashed fatally East of Altenau on the Harz, Germany.

The German file of this incident is KU 2514 and he was initially buried at Altenau cemetary.

Unfortunatally, I have no information on the German fighter counterpart that day. Maybe one of this forum can help ?.

Thanks !

Horst Weber

Re: 27. November 1944, 1st. Lt. James F. Cross, 353FG/352 FS
 

Good Morning Horst,

also "Happy Easter" to you....Thank`s for the Information about Lt. J. F. Cross. Due German Documents (LGXI), Lt. Cross crashed in the Area of the "Polsterberg" which is r. a. 2 Kilometres south-west of Altenau. ( bigger Forest Area with "Danger" for walking due to former Mining Area)

Greetings Dirk

Re: 27. November 1944, 1st. Lt. James F. Cross, 353FG/352 FS
 

It seems the only P-51 claimed on the 27th was by Uffz. Herbert Labensky 1./JG27 . He was KIA 1/3/45. This was Mission 350 for the 353FG.
Cross was flying Capt. A R Rosatone's P-51D 44-15388 "Stasia" SX-U ( MACR 10471) : Rosatone was KIA 18/1/45 in "Stasia II".

Re: 27. November 1944, 1st. Lt. James F. Cross, 353FG/352 FS
 

Hello,

the casualty number/Abschussnummer for the 44-15388 was J 2514, not KU 2514.
In the German report on captured aircraft from November 29, 1944 is pointed out, that the fighter came down vertically into the ground, crashed and burned. The crash place was 800 m east of Altena, map grid JA 9.

According to the "Final Report on Enemy Equipment and Crews" from December 28, 1944 the crash place was Altena-Schultal. The wreck was guarded by police and landwatch.
Technical statements:
Fuselage, landing gear, wings and tail unit 95% destruction, engine 90% destruction.
The body of 1st Lt James Franklin Cross was salvaged on December 7, 1944, identified by police and buried at the County Cemetery Altenau, grave No. 666.


Regards
Leo