Lt. Elbert R. Carpenter-350th FG

[kaki3152]

On June 19th,1944 Lt. Elbert R. Carpenter of the 350th FG was shot down over the ocean by what was reported to be a FW-190, There are no Luftwaffe claims for a P-39 on this date. Does anyone know the reason for his demise?

[shooshoobaby]

Kaki -
In the MACR Data Base www.armyairforces.com There is no
MACR Listed for 350th FG on 6/19/44.
Was He Rescued ? If so - No MACR Filed
Couple thoughts - The 350th FG was transitioning to P-47s about that time.
Could it have been an Italian Fighter ?
Mike

[Leendert]

Mike,

2nd Lt Elbert Carpenter is still listed as missing. He was from Dickenson County, Virginia. Reportedly lost over the Med.

Regards,

Leendert.

[kaki3152]

Thanks to all.

It looks like this will be one of the minor mysteries of WWII that will never be answered. He falls into the 15% or so aircrew that never had any MACR generated (my estimate) and with no living witnesses.

One speculation that jumps to mind is "Friendly fire" since a P-39 easily could be mistaken for a Bf-109 by a kill hungry Allied airman. After all, we have the strafing of a RAF strip by the 325th FG,with casulaties, in broad daylight. Truly a vastly undereported incident.

[kaki3152]

Thanks to a PM, it is now established that the demise was due to friendly fire, a RAF Spitfire.