Catalina vs. Bf 109, Italy 1943

[barkas]

Hallo,

on 23 August 1943, an OA-10 Catalina was shot down over Salerno, Italy by german pilots of JG 53. Please, do you know any details?

According to the MACR list, it was supposed to carry the number 42-109023, but a plane of the same number crashed as early as 27 July 1943 at Zandery Field in Suriname.

Thanks, Jan

[Alex Smart]

Only comes up once on the AAIR site, date 23/08/43.
MACR No. 527
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/90893615

It was only damaged in a taxying accident in Suriname.

https://web.archive.org/web/20250216...s/1942_5.html#

[barkas]

great,

I've written out the entire crew from MACR:
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Henry J. Blom
Co-pilot 2nd/Lt. George W. Wilson
Nav 2./Lt. William F. Stewart
R/O Cpl. Thurman B. Huff
Eng. s/sgt. Evard N. Lord
Eng. s/sgt. John R. Dunbar
obs. 1./Lt. Albin K. Schoepf
and passengers/rescued airmen:
Maj. Forrest H. Barker 14th FG / 37th FS MIA on 30 Apr. 1944 P-38 42-104043
Capt. Charles J. Crocker
Capt. Hubert M. Blair

Also interest unit: Air-Sea Rescue Squadron HQ North African Coastal Air Force

Thank you, Jan

[Chris Goss]

Googling pilot's name comes up with this-scroll down to Blom

https://www.dpaa.mil/portals/85/WWII...A_20200221.pdf

[barkas]

Sorry friends, my inattention, the last three (all from the 14th Fighter Group) were not passengers but witnesses!