USAAF 511th Fighter Squadron P-47's crashsites Belgium
 

For two USAAF P-47 crashsite researchs in Belgium we are currently looking for pictures of the concerned aircraft and it’s pilots.
Both pilots operated with 405th Fighter Group, 511th Fighter Squadron and they took off on 14-03-1945 for the last time from the Y-32 Advanced Landing Ground situated at Ophoven, Opglabbeek, Belgium (data found on several websites state wrongly that they operated from France). The Fighter Group stayed only for a few weeks in Belgium. Before, they were stationed in France.
The pilots were:
1st Lt. Henry T. Rickert (O1995958)
and
F/O Eugene F. Palmer (T192077)
The aircraft:
P-47D 28 RA serial 42-29263
and
P-47D 28 RE serial 44-20270
We are only looking for pictures or information about direct relatives.

In the book "Thunder Monsters Over Europe, by Reginald G. Nolte" there is little mentioned about the pilots or the aircraft.

Thank you in advance!

Re: USAAF 511th Fighter Squadron P-47's crashsites Belgium
 

A little here on Palmer. It appears some of the details are not correct.

http://vetaffairs.sd.gov/sdwwiimemor...lay.asp?P=1460

The information came from a half-sister who died just last year. (Possibly the same father as Eugene.)

[url]https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/argusleader/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=186191489[/url

You can probably track down some of the sons mentioned in the obit and get leads on any other possible relatives.

Re: USAAF 511th Fighter Squadron P-47's crashsites Belgium
 

Yes, indeed, this is the information about Eugene Palmer on the net.

FYI: The other pilot (Henry Rickert) did bail out and continued his flying.

Re: USAAF 511th Fighter Squadron P-47's crashsites Belgium
 

Hi Sirmickey,
I found this on http://p-47.database.pagesperso-orange.fr/index.html
42-29263 crashed in France Pilot Henry Richard jr KIA (collision with P47 44-20270)
I hope this helps
redcap50

Re: USAAF 511th Fighter Squadron P-47's crashsites Belgium
 

Sirmicky,

Lt. Rickert was killed in the collision.

Kent

Re: USAAF 511th Fighter Squadron P-47's crashsites Belgium
 

I know it is confusing, when there is wrong information circulating. The collision did take place in Belgium, after the Group moved to Y-32 coming from France (The frontline was also moving towards Germany, and after France it was Belgium).

I have information (official accident report) obtained from an internet source (which for the moment still has the wrong information on it's website) and it clearly states Y-32 which was situated in Belgium. And...., in the "Opsflash" of 14-03-1945 on microfilm reel BO498 of the 511FS, 405FG, while at Y-32 (achieved from AFHRA), it is mentioned that "2 aircraft of alert flight had mid air collision at aproximately 16hrs. Details unknown. Lt. Rickert bailed safely."

Re: USAAF 511th Fighter Squadron P-47's crashsites Belgium
 

So this may be him....

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18252484/rickert/


https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...thomas-rickert

Re: USAAF 511th Fighter Squadron P-47's crashsites Belgium
 

I apologize for adding to the confusion--my information on Lt. Rickert is not correct. I will go back through my sources to see why I had him being killed. Again, sorry for the confusion.

Kent

We are all here to help clear out history! RSwank, this seems to be him. Thanks for this information.

Does anybody know were the archive of Mr. Reginald G. Nolte is located?

Probably pictures of the concerned P-47's can found in there?

Re: USAAF 511th Fighter Squadron P-47's crashsites Belgium
 

Reg Nolte, was a friend of the family and gave me and my dad a great deal on the 405th FG in the UK

If you want his book called 'Thunder Monsters Over Europe' it was by Sunflower University Press, ISBN 0-89745-075-2.

He lived in San Antonio, Texas and I guess died about 25 years ago.