Rescued in the cockpit!

[strafer]

Dear all, you may be familiar with the fact that Maj. McKennon of the 4th FG - after being shot down by flak on March 18, 1945 - was picked by his fellow Lt. Green and flew safely back to the base sitting on Green's lap! Could you please let me know whether there was another similar story reported during WWII?
Thanks a lot! Kind regards, Filip

[Alex Smart]

hello Strafer,
There were many such rescues.
But I will probably be shot down if I say that the RAF did it first and successfully with a Hurricane escaping from France in 1940. Later a Polish pilot with the RAF did it successfully with a Mustang.
Most rescues were by P-51 ( 8th AAF ones are the best known ) but another was by P-38 during a "Frantic" operation.
I cannot recall any by P47 or P-40 or P-39.
Alex

[cheesey]

22nd June '44.
W/O Tamowiecz of 315 Sqn. Hit by ground fire in his Mustang III and crashed into marsh near Normandy beachhead. His squadron CO, S/Ldr. Horbaczewski, landed on a nearby strip and with the help of US engineers released him.The CO took him to his Mustang and flew him back to UK sat on his lap!
Info from Fighter Command Losses 1944-1945 by Norman Franks.
Cheers....Steve.

[JACK COOK]

2oth FG Jack ilfrey picked up Duane Kelso.
52nd FG Maj Exum picked up Lt Wilson
82nd FG FO Andrews picked up Capt Wiilsie

[drgondog]

354FS/355FG - Lt Royce Priest picked up Squadron CO Bert Marshall in a P-51D-5 about 30 miles east-northeast of Paris on Aug 18, 1944. This was the first example of a successful rescue in a P-51D and the first in the 8th AF.

Priest awarded DSC. Doolitle issued orders to 8th FC - do not do again.

October 3, Capt Henry Brown current active leading 8th AF scorer shot down by flak and attempted rescue made by acting 354FS CO Chuck Lenfest. Lenfest stuck Mustang in mud - Future B-70 test pilot Al White landed close by, attempting to give up Mustang to the two 355FG aces but they didn't see him. He RTB.

Doolittle goes Ballistic

November 18(? Jack), 1944 20FG ace jack Ilfrey picks up Kelso - and returns safely but does not report it.

March 18, 1945 Green picks up McKennon.

[JACK COOK]

Post DDay 9th AF Lt Cahoun picked up Major Carey sqd unk

[strafer]

Many thanks to all of you, gentlemen, for your notes on this issue!

Lt Cahoun and Major Carey flew with the 354th FG as this was the only Group using Mustangs in the 9th AF.

Regards, Filip

[drgondog]

That is a P-47D that the 354th had late Nov, 1944 through Feb 1945 when they got 51's again - so that shot was after Nov 1944

[JACK COOK]

They weren't 354th FG pilots. I'm thinking 365th or 358th FGs.
The photo was taken around DDay + 10.

[strafer]

Dear Jack, are you sure about the spelling? There is no "Cahoun" credited a kill in the AFHRA database (http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/avc/avc.asp)... Please see the swastikas under the canopy.
Regards, Filip