|
Re: Werner Christie & Mustang
Lt. Col. Christie joined 150 Wing at Andrews Field on 11 Feb. -45. He came from 234 Sqn which he had commanded for a while.While commanding 150 Wing,there were several losses,mainly Polish pilots from 316 Sqn.
On 1st March -45 while providing escort to a Ramrod to Mannheim,the Wing left the bombers after the bombing and descended through clouds to find targets of opportunity to strafe. The Wing had been flying for over 2 hours over a solid cloudlayer and they were further east than expected when they came out of clouds over high ground.2 Polish pilots,W/O Ferruga and F/S Kamecki,were killed when their Mustangs crashed.Christie also hit the ground,had both wing leading edges perforated and the starboard stabilizer cut through almost all the way to the elevator,but returned safely to base. He was flying FB226 MT-K at the time instead of his usual "WHC". Anybody have the serial number of his personal Mustang III?
Christie blamed himself for this accident due to poor navigation on his part and,according to an interview I made with him in January 2004,he requested to be transferred to another Wing as he thought his leadership with 150 Wing suffered from this accident.He left 150 Wing for the Hunsdon Wing on 6th March -45. He died earlier this year.
Stein
__________________
Luck and Superstition Wins Every Time!
|