Beurling P-47 flight 1943

[Brian]

Hi guys

One for our American experts:

George Beurling, the Canadian fighter ace, apparently flew at least one sortie in a US P-47 circa July/August 1943. Can anyone put a date to this, or any other such flights?

Cheers
Brian

[Leendert]

Brian,

At that time only 4th, 56th and 78th FG had P-47s in England, I gathered.

Lt Col Thomas Hitchcock Jr, assistant air attache at the US Embassy at London, introduced him to a P-47 station "near by" where Beurling was posted at that time. If I'm correct, then this was Rednal, Shropshire, with 61 OTU.

The three USAAF P-47 airfields were not exactly near by, unless measured by American standards, or maybe London was meant where Beurling spent some weekends....

Regards,

Leendert

[Atcham Tower]

Must have been Atcham, which is less than ten miles from Rednal. USAAF 6th Fighter Wing (later 495th Fighter Training Group) operated P-47s from here 43/44.

[SMF144]

Hi Brian,

What's up? What are you working on now?

Stephen

[Leendert]

Atcham Tower,

Didn't the P-47s only arrive arrive in December 1943? Fighter Training Group engaged in escort missions over Europe?

If Beurling's story holds and Brian's assumption of July/August 1943 is correct, then 6th Fighter Wing still had Spitfires and P-39s at Atcham...
Regards,

Leendert

[Brian]

Thanks guys - at least that gives me a lead in the right direction. Hopefully more info will come to light. Perhaps one of our American friends has relevant ORBs.

Hi Stephen - good to hear from you again. Have you an interest in Beurling? Perhaps you have info you may wish to share, either here or by PM.

Cheers
Brian

[Atcham Tower]

Leendert
6th FW operated P-47s as well as Spitfires from at least April 1943. As you say, they weren't operational, but Atcham is near Rednal. The original post mentions "a sortie" but maybe it was just a local familiarisation flight?

[Leendert]

Atcham Tower,

I guess the full story is in this link: http://www.acesofww2.com/Canada/aces/beurling.htm

Not much detail what Beurling encountered during this mission. Did he just watch the bombers forming up over England, or did he actually make the Channel crossing?
In all cases, he flew in a P-47...!

Thanks for the additional info about Atcham. Indeed a very likely spot.

Regards,

Leendert

[Atcham Tower]

That link destroys my theory about Atcham, but thanks, it's a fascinating read! Atcham is of course about 150 miles north of the Channel coast.

[palmtree]

I noticed that in the cbc radio clip. Beurling mentions he was writing a book on deflection shooting. Did he start the book? Does anyone know if any papers or drafts of this book exist?