44-23608 F-5E, Dec 26 1944

[Paul]

Capt. Roger V. Wolcott, 31 Photo Rec Sqn, was killed on Dec 26 1944 flying to Bastogne (MACR 11476)
I'm looking for the exact crashlocation.

Paul

[ClinA-78]

Hello Paul,

Following IDPF extract doc, Capt. Wolcott might have crashed near/in a village called "Charneux" while returning from a dropping of "photographs sealed in a cargo drop-tank to the surrounding troops at Bastogne". He was buried on the 3rd March 45 in the Neuville-en-Condroz cemetery as "unknown X-8" and further identified.
But the case is a little bit 'complicated' as there are, at least, three village called Charneux in Belgium:
1°) +/- 8 km SE of Verviers
2°) +/- 8 km N of Verviers
3°) +/- 6 km SE of Marche-en-Famenne
Did I forget a fourth? ;-)
Unfortunately I didn't have time yet to investigate (need 3 lifes).

Best regards.

ClinA-78

[Paul]

ClinA-78,,

Thank you very much !


Regards,

Paul

[Airresupply]

Hallo Paul and ClinA-78 !

I am a bit surprised to discover the crash site of Wolcott... I thought that he was shot down by American fire south of Bastogne, close to the one of Lanker (MACR11501) that was shot down a couple of hours before Wolcott.

ClinA-78, do you have the crash location for Lanker thru the IDPF and so cfm one of the 2 locations already ?
Was he also "unknown" ?

We found 2 crash locations close to each other (+/-1.000m) south of Bastogne... one is defintely a P-38 (no serial cfm till now as no IDPF available with details) of which a propeller is displayed in the Bastogne Historical Center.
One of the small pieces I found had a dark green colour... can also be the cockpit as some were painted dark green if I remember well ?

Still a mystery but the crash location in the IDPF of Lanker will probably give a first confirmation... !

Were was 10th Photo Reconnaissance Group / 31st PRS located at that time ? Not in Belgium I presume ?

Can somebody provide an aircraft profile of this unit ?

[Paul]

Airresupply,

Good to see you here !
Station A-94 was located at Conflans, France.

Regards,

Paul

[Airresupply]

Hallo Paul.

I hope to stay long on the forum... !

As you know, my interest are the Air Resupply missions of Bastogne and the Belgian Allied ALG's...

So Conflans was the base of the 2 missing F-5 aircraft ?

Bit by bit we get all the pieces of the puzzle...

Thanks for your help !

[ClinA-78]

Rehello Airresupply!

Just discover your reply about the thread!

Lanker crashsite is located about 1,5 km N of Chenogne (I don't have the IDPF) but found many confirmation about this site. I presume you know the book written by Joss Heintz "Dans le périmètre de Bastogne", astouning by the way it displays some aerial pictures, taken by F-5, recovered by people visiting the crash site. The F-5 crashsite is also pinpointed in the book.
It was claimed by II.Flak Regt.39. Germans mentionned his ID.
Remember there are a lot of aircraft crashed in the area of Bastogne, including a B-17 lost also near Chenogne.
I suppose Wolcott might have crashed near the southern Charneux which is near Marche but I don't have yet confirmation, maybe someone can confirm that (SOS Flupke!).
May be of interest as the body of Capt. Wolcott was recovered by 1st Platoon, 612th QM Gr Reg Co.

Best regards

ClinA-78