WWII Robinson Crusoe-Lt Charles F Babcock

[kaki3152]

While reading through my copy of "In a Now Forgotten Sky"-[The History of the 31st FG] I came across this small paragrah
"In the 308th, Lt. Babcock,who had spent some time marooned on a deserted island in the Mediterranean with a badly burned German pilot who died before they could be rescued,went to the hospital for observation." (p.158). Lt Babcock was reported as MIA on a mision on July 6,1943 while flying from Malta in the invasion of Sicily. The above paragraph was dated December 17,1943. In most books Lt. Babcock is listed as KIA but obviously he was rescued at some point.

Through the power of the Internet I found a brief obituary:
"Charles F. Babcock of St. Peter [Minnesota],who served with the Army Air Force as a 1st Lt. from Sept 29,1942 through Dec. 17,1945. He was born on June 7,1920 and died May 2,1993."

Does anyone know anything more about this story

[kaki3152]

Well, no reply, on the USAAF board or here so this is destined to remain another untold story of WWII. Pity, I'm sure the official documentation is out there but I don't have the resouces to pursue it further.

Lt, Babcock was listed as MIA in action on July 6,1943. He is listed as KIA in all the other reference works (e.g., "Spitfire over Sicicly" by Cull) and on the 31st FG website. He probably was not RMP (Recovered Military PersonneL) at least for a month or more. This must have been the time he was living on a deserted island with the wounded German. I'm going through "In a Now Forgotten Sky". to see if I can find any more referecnes. No index Grrrr.....

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi,

From a very partial index I've done for the Kucera book, Babcock is mentioned on the following pages: 152, 153 (photo), 158, 159, and 161.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.facebook.com/airwarpublications

[Leendert]

Not sure if related, but the Spitfire production list gives ER534 as missing on 6 July 1943 while escorting B-17s to/from Gerbini (airfield), Sicily.

Regards,

Leendert

[kaki3152]

Lt. Babcock is first mentioned on page 99.