P-47 42-8435 on 20th february 1945

[Bas Maathuis]

Gents,

P-47 42-8435 was lost on a ferryflight from Burtonwood UK to Y-29 Asch Belgium.It crashed near Hunsel Netherlands on 20th february 1945. The a/c was asigned to 406FG / 514FS.
MACR 12554 is very difficult to read.
I'm looking for the name and whereabouts of the pilot.

I believe the MACR reads:
1st Lt H.K.DEJA, 01995948, but I'm not sure.

Can anyone help me out?
TIA

[Leendert]

Bas,

Pilot was 1 Lt Henry M. Deja from St. Maries, Idaho.

Website wwiimemorial.com says hat he was killed due to a non-combat related cause.

Groet,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Bas,

Just to add that Lt Deja is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, St. Maries, Idaho.
Born 18 June 1923, died 20 Feb 1945.

Cemetery website says he was with 512 FS.

Groet,

Leendert

[Bas Maathuis]

Leendert,

Thanks very much for your help. Much appreciated.

[Bas Maathuis]

Just received info that the pilot of this P-47 didn't die. He jumped to savety but got wounded on landing some 300 meters from the a/c.
So the name in the MACR is most likely not the name of the pilot of 42-8435.
Any suggestions?

[ssg keay]

Bas maybe he was wounded in landing and died of his injuries. Danny

[Bas Maathuis]

Danny,
Thanks for you help!
An eyewitness stated that the pilot broke his leg on landing. He gave his parachute to the Dutch people who helped him.
So I don't think he would have died from a broken leg. Although it is possible he died later on during the War.

[Larry]

A break of the upper leg bone can be fatal if not treated especially if a major artery is ruptured

[Leendert]

Bas,

Woodland Cemetery information does say that Lt Henry M. Deja died on 20 February 1945...

See http://www.interment.net/data/us/id/...wn/wood_ce.htm


Also found this on the website of his former school:

http://ihmacademy.com/ihmgraduates1925-31.html

Son Henry M DEJA, b 18 Jun 1923, enlisted from the Reserves on 15 Feb 1943 at Buckley Field, Denver, served in WW2 as 1st Lt in 512th AAF Fighter Squadron, and died 20 Feb 1945.

Groet,

Leendert

[ssg keay]

The only way to get a clear answer would be to request his IDPF. That would clearly state what happened to him, most likely what airplane he was flying and why he died. I believe he might have had like larry said, a torn artery and never knew he was bleeding out from the inside. Danny