P-38 losses on 23/12/1944

[Petr Kacha]

I'm looking for details about three USAAF P-38 losses on 23/12/1944 in Europa theatre.

F-5 44-23603 7th Group
P-38 42-68081 474th Group
P-38 42-62004 367th Group 392sq

I am interesting in pilots name, his fate, time and location of crash.

Can someone help me?
Many thanks
Petr Kacha

[Horst Weber]

Hi Peter !

Here some details about your request for Dec. 23rd, 1944 losses:

F-5, 44-23603 was shot down by a Me 262 at about 15:40 h and crashed near GLEIDINGEN, Germany, which is located in the County of Hildesheim, Northern Germany. The pilot, 1st Lt. Robert F. Carlgren bailed out sucessfully and became POW. (Source: MACR # 11167 and German Air District Command Report # J 2673, claim could have also been creditet to Lt. Lutz-Gottfried Hengst, 10./ JG 300, who claimed a P-38 model at about 15:08 h near Hildesheim)

P-38, 42-68081 was hit by Flak and lost oil at about 15:25 h near STAVELOT, Belgium. The exact crash-location is not known. The pilot, 2nd Lt. Adrian V. Knox was killed when he bailed out, but obviously his chute didn't blossom. (Source: MACR # 11413)

P-38, 42-68004 was shot down by a Me 109 of JG 77 at about 11:20 h near GELSDORF - EUSKIRCHEN, West Germany. The pilot, Capt. James B. Fishburn became POW. (Source MACR # 11420 and O.K.L. Fighter Claims Chef für Auszeichnungen und Disziplin, Luftwaffen-Personalamt L.P. V Films; Film C:2027/II)

Best regards,

Horst Weber

[Stephane Muret]

Cpt James F. Fishburn's P38 ws downed when escorted 322nd BG (B26 Marauders) to Euskirgen (target railroad bridge). It was first (and last) mission for this 392nd FS' pilot. Mission was lead by Lt James O. Fincher including 12 P38.
This is just to complete !
Stephane 8)

[Petr Kacha]

Many thanks,

F-5 44-23603 of 7th Group was very probably shot down by Ofw. Erich Büttner of III./JG 7 because equipped with Me 262 and operated around Berlin. Hildesheim is too far...

I have found another two claims by Luftwaffe Fighers
P-38 Oblt. Richard Franz of 7./JG 11 in Bingen area (unknown time )

P-38 Hptm. Wilhelm Steinmann of Stab I./JG 4 (as well unknown time and also location )

Are these three P-38 only loss for this day? (according MACR yes but aren`t there only totally losted aircraft?) I am intersting also in damaged aircraft...

Petr Kacha

[Eagle0025]

Here is some more info on this particular loss.

Aircraft was P-38J-10-LO, serial number 42-68081, aircraft code 7Y-G. This a/c belonged to the 429th FS. 2Lt. Adrian V. Knox was a 428th FS pilot. Lt. Knox was hit by 88mm flak coming from the city of St. Vith, Belgium and the surrounding fields and woods to the north of the city. Lt. Knox, escorted by Lt. Johnston, started for home after he was hit, but his a/c quickly caught fire. Lt. Knox was forced to bail out before he could make friendly territory because his P-38 quickly caught fire. He bailed out at 3,500 feet while going down slightly west of Stavelot, Belgium. It appears his parachute never fully opened and he was killed. Lt. Knox was from Davidson, North Carolina.

[Eagle0025]

Peter,

Here are two more P-38 "losses" that occurred on 23 Dec 44 but were not covered by MACRs. They are:

P-38L-1-LO, serial no. 44-24439, 429th FS, code 7Y-?. Pilot was 2Lt. Peter J. Feider, status OK. Feider was forced to bail out 4 miles from airfield A-78, Florennes, Belgium. He ran out of gas after trying to find the airfield in bad weather. His radio was not working and he was forced to bail out.

Unknown P-38, 429th FS, pilot was 2Lt. William N. Doyle. Doyle's P-38 sustained significant damage after a belly-landing at A-78, Florennes, Belgium due to a landing gear problem.

Hope this helps. Cheers, Gary Koch

[RossGmann]

One more for the list
Lockheed P-38J-5-LO Lightning42-67242 (7th PRG, 27th PRS0 crash landed at Denain, France Dec 23, 1944.

Kind regards
Ross