Gabreski P-47, #42-75510

[pjstouff]

Parts of Lt. Col Gabreski’s “favorite” P-47 were recently located near la Celle les Bordes France. Between January and March, 1944 Gabreski claimed 10 (of his 28 total) victories in this aircraft. 42-75510 was shot down 15 August, 1944 after the pilot Lt. William Buttner of the 373 FG and others with the 411th FS encountered “30 plus” aircraft while on a ground support mission (MACR 8573). A few other P-47’s were also shot down that afternoon including 42-75529 (Sheppard) and 42-28431 (King).

Can anyone confirm the Luftwaffe pilot who claimed 42-75510?

Kind Regards,
PJ

[Alex Smart]

Hello PJ,
The following is from the Tony Wood's files.

15. August 1944

JaFü II. Jagdkorps/Lfl. 3:
15.08.44 Uffz. Tempel 9./JG 2 Mustang £ 15 West S/UQ-8: 1.200 m. [S. Jersey] 08.12 Film C. 2025/I Anerk: Nr.132
15.08.44 Ltn. Alfred Heckmann 3./JG 26 Mustang £ BC-3: 1.000 m. [Dreux] 12.28 Film C. 2025/I Anerk: Nr.156
15.08.44 Ltn. Gerhard Vogt 5./JG 26 P-47 £ BC-3: 1.000 m. [Dreux] 12.29 Film C. 2025/I Anerk: Nr.144
15.08.44 Ltn. Stein 5./JG 26 P-47 £ BD-6: 2.500-3.000 m. [E. Rambouillet] 12.30 Film C. 2025/I Anerk: Nr.145
15.08.44 Hptm. Emil Lang Stab II./JG 26 P-47 £ AD-BD: 2.000 m. 12.31 Film C. 2025/I Anerk: Nr.80
15.08.44 Hptm. Emil Lang Stab II./JG 26 P-47 £ AD-BD: 6.000 m. [Houdan-Rambouillet] 12.32 Film C. 2025/I Anerk: Nr.81
15.08.44 Ltn. Wilhelm Hofmann 8./JG 26 P-47 £ AC-AD: 5.000 m. [N. Dreux] 12.34 Film C. 2025/I Anerk: ASM
15.08.44 Uffz. Corinth 5./JG 26 P-47 £ AC-AD: 5.000 m. [N. Dreux] 12.34 Film C. 2025/I Anerk: Nr.43
15.08.44 Ltn. Prager: n.i.O. 7./JG 26 P-47 £ BD-2: 6-8.000 m. [N. Rambouillet] 12.35 Film C. 2025/I Anerk: ASM
15.08.44 Oblt. Georg-Peter Eder 6./JG 26 P-47 £ AD-BD: 2.000 m. [Houdan-Rambouillet] 12.38 Film C. 2025/I Anerk: Nr.109
15.08.44 Oblt. Georg-Peter Eder 6./JG 26 P-47 £ AD-BD: 3.000 m. [Houdan-Rambouillet] 12.40 Film C. 2025/I Anerk: Nr.110
Note: 16./JG 3 stands for the 2./JG 51: Ed.

Supplemental Claims from Sources :
15.08.44 Hptm. Heinz Knoke Stab III./JG 1 P-47 £ TC-2 Rouen - Reference: JG 1 Lists f.
15.08.44 Ltn. Kurt Ebener 5./JG 11 P-47 £ - - Reference: JG 11 Lists f.

And this from the KU lists for the 15th August 44.







All the very best
Alex

[pjstouff]

Thank you for this info Alex. We had assumed HauptmannEmil Bully Lang but this document opens other possibilities. 1230 hours was the last time Buttner’s mates saw him. Also the crashes of Sheppard and King were about that time – all in East Rambouillet.

This document mentions film. Do you know if the film is of public record and of quality to identify the pilot claims?

Portions of this P-47 were sent to the American Fighter Aces Association at Boeing Field, Seattle where a nice painting of this aircraft is visible in the lobby.

Cheers,
PJ