P38 losses on 16th September 1944; 394 FS
 

Dear all,

I would like to know some information regarding two P38 losses on 16th Sept.' 44 around Hückelhoven, Germany.

I found two serial-nr.: 42-104409 and 42-68110 .

I would like to know which pilots flew them and their fate ( at least, one became a POW) ; any information on their mission for that date.

Many thanks for your help.

Regards,

Karl-Heinz

Re: P38 losses on 16th September 1944; 394 FS
 

Good morning, Karl-Heinz !

P-38, USAAF s/n 42-68110 was flown on 16 September 1944 by 2nd Lt. Charles F. Page, 0-766668. This pilot was KIA in this mission. He was initially buried at Fosse near Namur U.S. cemetary and is now resting at Henri-Chapelle.

P-38, USAAF s/n 104409 was flown on 16 September 1944 by 2nd Lt. James F. Parker, 0-766670. This pilot was also killed in this mission. He was initially buried at Fosse near Namur U.S. cemetary and is nor resting at Henry-Chapelle.

This September 16th, 1944 was a tricky day. and according the Operation Reports of 367th FG in connection with MACR's of the cases, it is very likely possible, that both a/c's had a collission in Belgium, causing the fates of the two pilots.

All the best !

Horst Weber

Re: P38 losses on 16th September 1944; 394 FS
 

crash site was probably Lierneux, see:

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=9742

Re: P38 losses on 16th September 1944; 394 FS
 

Hello Horst & FrankieS,

Many thanks for your reply, that was very quick.

Now I have to look for another unit who lost P38's on that date :

Here is the story :we are investigating a crash site near Hückelhoven, Germany. Local people explained the AC came down begin Sept.'44 .

I looked in several literature and found a match on 16th Sept'44.
That day, I/JG 26 claimed three P38 near Hückelhoven. From the war diary JG26 ( Donald Caldwell) , the US unit involved was from the 370 FG .

I looked at the MACR for the 9th AF for that particular day, but found only the two losses concerning P38 from the 367 FG .

Any help would be appreciated !

Best Regards,

Karl-Heinz

Re: P38 losses on 16th September 1944; 394 FS
 

Hello Karl-Heinz,

on 16 September 1944, 34 P-38 of the 370th FG took off at 16:30 and landed at 19:25. According to the Combat Report, they were attacked near Aacken by 50 Me-109/FW-190 at about 9000 feet. The Americans of the 401st FS claimed 3 FW-190 (2 FW-190 by 2/Lt. James K. Kunkle and 1 FW-190 by Capt. Ernest T. Cragg) for the loss of the P-38 of Lt. James Kunkle who, despite being wounded, managed to bail out and return to base.



Regards
Marco

Re: P38 losses on 16th September 1944; 394 FS
 

Karl-Heinz,

Correction!
The 401st FS claimed 5 FW-190. In addition to the three claims described in my previous message, another FW-190 was claimed by Capt. Ernest T. Cragg and a fifth one by 2/Lt. John F. Murphy Jr., all of them at 17:45.



Best Regards
Marco

Re: P38 losses on 16th September 1944; 394 FS
 

Hello marco,

many thanks for your response.

All the best,

Karl-Heinz