American Aircraft at captured airbase

[KMURPHY]

Hello again,
Here are some of the pictures that were given to me to look into for a friends family. They were taken by my friend's grandfather. He was an engineer in the ETO. He occupied enemy airfields and re-constructed them for Allied use. I have some pictures of a wide range of interesting American aircraft, as it shows a mix of fighters, as well as medium and heavy bombers. All the pictures seemed to date from early-mid Feb. 1945. There is another thread, where I posted the Luftwaffe aircraft that littered the airfield early Feb. 1945, mostly around the 4th http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=19698. This series of photos take place a few days later mostly around Feb 14-15,1945.
I was hoping to find out as much as I can from the pictures if it is possible, and I would like to share them as well. Let me know about any comments. Sorry for the size, just wanted to leave the details in them.

Feb. 4 1945.


Feb. 15 1945


Feb. 15 1945 (I believe he kept instrumentation from this particular aircraft)


Feb.14 1945


Feb.14 1945


Feb.14 1945


Feb. 1945


This is the man who these photos belonged to (on the right in both pictures).

[mhuxt]

Those are great pics, thanks for posting them.

[Larry deZeng]

I second the above - great photos! But there is a question on the 14-15 Feb 45 dates applied to photos #2 and #5. The trees and shrubs appear to still have their foliage and that wouldn't be the case at that time of year.

[KMURPHY]

I would have to agree Larry. The family gave me a few of the dates from the back. I think they may have gotten them mixed up (they gave me a sheet of paper with the dates written on them to try to correspond with a certain photo.) When I am at their haose next I will ask to pull the pictures out of the album and find out for myself.

As for the first P-47 pictured, does anyone have the slightest clue as to what unit it may have belonged? I have trouble making out the nose art on it. "Hot Pat Two" or maybe "Hot Fat Two"?, I have no Idea. I was hoping to maybe find out to what unit the aircraft may have belonged, or just more about it in general. There does not seem much to go by from any markings. Any help appreciated. Thank you.

[Larry deZeng]

ID'ing that 'Bolt is going to be tough without its fuselage code, unless someone recognizes the nose art or the paint color and style on the cowl. By mid-August 1944, the 9th AF had 19 fighter groups operating from northern France, all or most of which were Jug fighter-bomber units. If no one here can help, then you may have to try the 9th AAF web site and see if they can assist you. I am almost certain that the photo was taken in northern France July or August 1944.

[Larry]

The A-20 was used by three Bombardment Groups of the 9th USAAF -the 409th, 410th and 416th BG and looking at the photos it would seem that the A-20s were on the airfield in great number, so most probably is the airfield where they were based.

I agree that some photos do not look as though they were taken in Feb 1945 but it should be easy enouth to find out all the bases for these Groups post D-Day and see which was most likely.

I'll do some more checking

[Larry]

409th BG Bases post move from UK

Bretigny France 18.9.44
Laon / Couvron France 12.2.45

410th BG Bases post move from UK

Coulommiers France 27.9.44
Juvincourt France 9.2.45
Beaumont sur Oise France 22.5.45

416th BG Bases post move from UK

Melun / Villarouche France 21.9.44
Laon / Athies France 10.2.45
Cormeilles en Vexin France 25.5.45
Laon / Athies France 27.7.45