Lt Russell Gradel 373FG/412FS baled out over Belgium Nov 7 1944
 

Hello ,

Lt Russell Gradel 373FG/412FS baled out of his P-47 over Belgium on Nov 7 1944 after beieng hit by Flak over Germany.
Any idea were he came down ?

Regards
Alain57

Re: Lt Russell Gradel 373FG/412FS baled out over Belgium Nov 7 1944
 

I believe it was October 6 and he came down northwest of Arlon. Perhaps someone else can narrow that location down.

Kent

Re: Lt Russell Gradel 373FG/412FS baled out over Belgium Nov 7 1944
 

Thank you , i will check once more the date.
Regards
Alain57

Re: Lt Russell Gradel 373FG/412FS baled out over Belgium Nov 7 1944
 

Alain,

It was 6 October 1944 indeed. See http://412th.org/archives/373rd_Oper...Y89-2_1of2.pdf

P4722 translates as (near) Etalle, somewhat west of Arlon.

Groet, Leendert

Re: Lt Russell Gradel 373FG/412FS baled out over Belgium Nov 7 1944
 

Thanks for the help , indeed i made a mistake about the date.
Greets
Alain57

Re: Lt Russell Gradel 373FG/412FS baled out over Belgium Nov 7 1944
 

Gradel's P-47D may have been 42-25739, but confirmation wanted.

Groet, Leendert

Re: Lt Russell Gradel 373FG/412FS baled out over Belgium Nov 7 1944
 

Newspaper story on Gradel:

https://www.newspapers.com/article/w...nal/138937308/

Re: Lt Russell Gradel 373FG/412FS baled out over Belgium Nov 7 1944
 

The Oct. 8 entry in this diary also has some fine info on Gradel's crash: http://412th.org/archives/Van%20Kirk%27s%20Diary.htm

There's talk here of a Frenchman. Either the P-47 came down just across the border in France indeed, or Gradel assumed he was in France when having met a French-speaking Belgian. French is the language of southern Belgium after all...

Regards, Leendert

Re: Lt Russell Gradel 373FG/412FS baled out over Belgium Nov 7 1944
 

Thanks for this wonderful info.

Greetings
Alain57