Quote:
Originally Posted by alieneyes1
No. 192 Squadron had several P38 "droopsnoots" on strength, flown by USAAF crews (pilot and special operator)
Serials are shown as, for example, "Lightning 516"
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No.192 Squadron, in fact, operated 4 P-38 "Droop Snoots" between 01/09/1944 - 06/03/1945 - 43-28479, 44-23156, 44-23501 & 44-23515 (no "Lightning 516").
It is interesting to note that the P-38 44-23156 completed the first and last missions undertaken at Foulsham. Following the loss of Capt. Brink and Lt Kunze in 44-23515*, the aircraft was not replaced, and neither was 43-28479 pressed into service to fill the void, it having completed just one sortie during the entire period. The majority of missions , some eighty in total**, involved just two aircraft, 44-23501 and 44-23156. Lieutenant Frances I Kunze was also not replaced , the remainder of the missions being flown by (Observers/Special Operators), Lts. W.H. Zeidler, T.C. Holt and W.B. Stallcup. Captain Kasch, the Unit's Commanding Officer, completed just two of them. The Americans had enjoyed a successful and happy association with 192 Squadron and on 7th March, 1945, they quietly packed their bags and left Foulsham, without ceremony, to rejoin the 36th Bombardment Squadron (H) at Alconbury (.p.126).
*
26/10/1944 - 44-23515 - Pilot: Capt F.B. Brink, Observer: Lt F.I. Kunze - Patrol off Dutch coast south of Zeider Zee investigating 'Big Ben' traffic. Failed to return, aircraft ditched North Sea, crew lost (p.119 & 123).
**
Full mission list in book: Date/Aircraft/Pilot/Observer/Patrol Details.
See:
Esiponage In The Ether: The Wartime Story of 192 (Bomber Support) Squadron.
Rees,William j & John E Rees.
Warrington:Compaid Graphics,1999.
pp.117-126
Col.