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430th FS/474th FG P-38 Crash Landings
Seeking info/details on a couple of 430th FS P-38 crash landings. The first one occurred on 23 August 44 when a P-38 droopsnoot, piloted by Capt. John E. Hatch Jr., made a forced landing in the vicinity of Evreaux, France. He was returning from a recon mission over the city of Paris when flak knocked out one of the P-38's engines. Both engines eventually gave out and Hatch made a successful crash landing in a friendly area held by US Army artillery troops. I believe the P-38 involved was P-38J-15-LO, serial number 43-28417, coded K6-V.
The second crash landing I have even less information on. It involved a P-38 flown by 2Lt. Norman D. Reskin. I believe it occurred on 11 Sept 44. Reskin was returning from a mission over Germany when he was forced to belly-land in a cow pasture "somewhere north of the Loire River" due to fuel exhaustion. It is possible it may have been in the Orleans or Angers area.
I am primarily looking to confirm the aircraft identities and crash site locations. Thanks in advance.
Cheers, Gary Koch (474th FG Historian)
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