1st Lt. John L. Ryder KIA 29/12/1944

[Alex Smart]

hi,

Details wanted with regard to the loss of 1st Lt. John L. Ryder of the 307th Fighter squadron, 31st Fighter group.
Lost on the 29th december 1944.

There does not seem to be a MACR for this pilot and without further details I wonser if indeed it was an aerial loss. Could he have been Killed on the ground, by bombing or strafing by enemy a/c or even such as a road accident ?

If an aerial loss the aircraft serial number please, and if there is an MACR the number please.

Many thanks

Alex

[Steve49]

According to Dennis Kucera 'in a now forgotten sky' 1st Lt John L. Ryder (307th FS/31st FG) was lost 29th December 1944 during an operation to escort the 49th Bomb Wing to Passau. Due to poor weather the bombers raided the alternative target of Rosenheim. Lt Ryder is noted as having 'spun in at Larino, possibly the victim of vertigo'. No aircraft serial I'm affraid.

Regards

Steve Pegge

[Alex Smart]

Thank you steven,

Thank you for the info and the correction re 301/307.
Have now corrected the first post accordingly.

It is now clear that it was due to aerial activity, so any other kind of event is out of play.

The book you quote is on my buying list, along with about 40 others.

Anything further you may find will be welcome.

Many thanks

Alex