P-47 serial 42-26278 366th FG lost 24.12.44
 

This P-47 was shot down on 24.12.44, pilot 2./Lt. John K. Jones (0-830232) killed. Does anybody know where he exactly crashed?

Re: P-47 serial 42-26278 366th FG lost 24.12.44
 

It crashed at Waharday near Rendeux, Belgium.

ClinA-78

Re: P-47 serial 42-26278 366th FG lost 24.12.44
 

It appears this local history society wrote an article about it. See https://cercle-historique.marche.be/...toriques-2025/

Chute d’un avion américain à Waharday » par Etienne Burnotte

Leendert

Re: P-47 serial 42-26278 366th FG lost 24.12.44
 

Many thanks for the answers, Leendert, do you know what the article is about?

Re: P-47 serial 42-26278 366th FG lost 24.12.44
 

John, I've sent a mail to the society for more info. Article itself is not online.

Leendert

Re: P-47 serial 42-26278 366th FG lost 24.12.44
 

Thanks Leendert, much appreciated!

Re: P-47 serial 42-26278 366th FG lost 24.12.44
 

I, among others, helped Etienne to conclude this story.

ClinA-78

Re: P-47 serial 42-26278 366th FG lost 24.12.44
 

Okay, is it possible to get the article, preferably in English...?

Re: P-47 serial 42-26278 366th FG lost 24.12.44
 

Drop me your email and I can send you a copy, albeit in French.

ClinA-78

Re: P-47 serial 42-26278 366th FG lost 24.12.44
 

ClinA-78,
Thru other channels, I also received a copy of the article. Is it safe to assume that the author ends with a caution that the question whether it was Lt Jones at Waharday/Rendeux is still open?
Main problem seems to be that there is no local record of a/his burial. No German J-record either, either when it was in the Ahrweiler area or nr Rendeux/Waharday indeed.
Latter localities were close to the front lines (Ardennes offensive).
Perhaps apply for the IDPF of Lt Jones and hope there's an indication of where he was found. A 10 March 1945 newspaper article tells that his death was confirmed. I think this is some time after Allied troops had found his grave (where?) and a positive identification had taken place. The ship Haiti Victory
took his remains home in May 1949.

Lt Jones and Lt Hunt had been vectored to the Düren area, according a 366th FG Operations Report. Unfortunately it just states N.Y.R. for Lt Jones, with no further details provided.
Lt Jones was 'dropped from the rolls' on 27 Dec 1944 by the 391st FS, with status MIA per 24 Dec 1944 1200 hrs.

Leendert