Loss of a P-51 from 353rd Fighter Group at 24th March 1945
 

Dear all,

according to MACR 13442 2nd Lieutenant John Franklin May from 350th Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, was lost in his P-51 44-14990 at 24th March 1945 in the vicinity of Cologne.

Despite there is a MACR - which contains only 3 pages - I have no more information about this loss.

Could anybody help me in this case?


Best regards,
Oliver1966

Re: Loss of a P-51 from 353rd Fighter Group at 24th March 1945
 

He was reported shot down by ennemy fighters northwest of Kassel on his 10th mission despite he gives another story in the MACR. But the two victories he was credited are likely to confirm that the authorities get with his story.

Regards

Alfred

Re: Loss of a P-51 from 353rd Fighter Group at 24th March 1945
 

Hello Oliver,

according to the book "Jonah's Feet Are Dry":

Red four, 2nd Lt John F. May, destroyed one of the Me 109s but then collided with another enemy Me 109 forcing him to bail out of LH-A "Doris II" (a/c 44- 14990):
"My flight leader, Capt Hightshoe, bounced the low gaggle and I acquired a 109 on my tail from their top cover. My element leader and I broke left and I saw someone pick him off for me. Just then my element leader was bounced by a 109 from above, so I got my sight on this boy and saw pieces come off the wings and fuselage and black smoke pour out. He rolled over on his back at an altitude of about 200 ft. I was then bounced, while firing, by four Me 109s. I broke violently left while looking back over my tail and immediately crashed into another aircraft. I lost my left wing and went into a flat spin. After bailing out I saw a 109 on the ground with a piece of my wing embedded in his cockpit. The Jerry was dead. I was then picked up by the Wehrmacht and became a POW."

Hope this helps.
Best regards.

Marco