Tuskegee pilot?
 

Hi guys

Sometime ago I posted details of a Lysander (T1456 from 148 Squadron) shot down in error by a P-51 some 30 miles north-east of Venice on 22/11/44. It now transpires that the errant pilot was a black American, so presumably from either 322 FG or 99FS. Has anyone unit records that may provide more detail?

Cheers
Brian

Re: Tuskegee pilot?
 

Brian,

The Tuskegees had not any confirmed air victories between 16 November, 1944 and 16 March, 1945 for sure, but the shot down own planes by errors were not counted officially. Unfortunately, I don't have their detailed materials from autumn over Italy (I have just some stuffs about their activity over Hungary from this period)

Maybe Nick Beale can help?

Re: Tuskegee pilot?
 

Thanks Csaba - are you out there Nick?

Cheers
Brian

Re: Tuskegee pilot?
 

I've got a cold so I'm feeling a bit more "out there" than usual right now, thank you Brian!

As to the other question, there's nothing in Frank Olynyk's claims list for 22 November 44 and we never found anything when researching "Air War Italy". If you're passing the National Archives, check out the daily summary in AIR23/6511: MATAF Intops Summaries, October–December 1944.

Re: Tuskegee pilot?
 

Hi Nick

Must be catching - I, too, have a head cold (I find whisky and lemon/honey helpful, but not too much of the latter!).

I will be at Kew on Friday so will check that reference - many thanks. I understand several old cronies will also be at Kew on Friday, zimmer frames permitting, including Chris Shores, Norman Franks, Jack Foreman and Russell Guest - for what reason I don't know. Poor old souls, I doubt if any one of us knows! Perhaps they mean Kew Gardens?

Cheers
Brian (the younger)

PS: I've just learned that Uncle Tom Cobley is coming as well!

Re: Tuskegee pilot?
 

Brian,
Lysander was piloted by F/O John F.A. RAYNS, 150263, who lies buried in the Udine War Cemetery. SOE operation 'Templar'. I've a note that also three passengers were killed, unfortunately no info on these persons.
Regards from a sunny Holland,
Henk.

Re: Tuskegee pilot?
 

Hi,

IIRC the passengers were from the Yugoslav Army and one was quite a high up player in the fight against the Germans.

Alex

Re: Tuskegee pilot?
 

Thanks, Henk and Alex.

Nick - I checked that Air23 reference you gave me - but not a mention! Thanks all the same.

Cheers
Brian