Capt George Boteler 78th FG
 

Looking for info on Capt George Boteler of the 83rd FS 78th FG. He was credited with .5 ME-109 and 1 ME-110 in P-47Ds. I'm trying to find the date he went down in Belgium in 1945. I couldn't locate a MACR.

Re: Capt George Boteler 78th FG
 

Jack, Don't know why you think he went down in Belgium in 1945. He finished his tour in September 1944 and certainly did not fly any P-51 missions, which the 78th started from January '45.

Peter

Re: Capt George Boteler 78th FG
 

Jack -
Rank shown as a Lt. in Books.
Assigned 83d Sq. 4/44 - 9/44.
Could he have transferred to 9th AF
or other AF ?
Mike

Re: Capt George Boteler 78th FG
 

Hi Peter,
Well......his daughter got my number (she saw a post on the 78th FG on wix) and called me seeking info on him.
She understood he was shot down and evaded. Me thinks I'm now tap dancing through a mine field.............

Re: Capt George Boteler 78th FG
 

You'll find Boteler listed on this page, date 440724

http://www.accident-report.com/world...uk/uk4407.html

Re: Capt George Boteler 78th FG
 

You could well be right Jack. Tap gently! She emailed me yesterday and I replied giving what info I have. He was certainly still a 1Lt. when his tour finished but I would not have details of any subsequent promotions. Facts are that he does not appear in the MACR listing nor the Escape and Evasion listing. The only reference I have on him, other than the dates already quoted, is the accident report noted in the posting above, which refers to a crash landing at Duxford due to engine failure on 24 July 1944 in 42-25837 HL-A. Seems like another case of a wartime story being somewhat embelished over the years or maybe just a partial memory taking on a complete new aspect. Either way, I think that trying to follow up on POW status and escape/rescue would be a non-starter.

Peter