1 Nov.1944 - 474 FG - 370 FG - P38's

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi,
The Daily Diary for 429 Squadron (474 FG) for 1/11/1944 (AFHRA reel B0625 p.111) mentions :
…
Capt.Munger, while test hopping a ship over the field, met up another Lightning from the 370th Group and both planes commenced rat racing maneuvres. While engaged in a dog fight over the field, a short in Capt.Munger’s cannon caused it to fire, knocking out one of the 370th’s engines. The plane came in and made a rough single engine landing. When Capt.Munger landed, sweat could be seen upon his forehead.
…
Are any additional details, sa who was the pilot of the 370 th P38, serial of the planes, available ?


Many thanks and best regards


Luc

[Leendert]

Dag Luc,

We can assume this was at Florennes, Belgium (A-78)?.

Capt. Paul O. Munger.

Groet,
Leendert

[Luc Vervoort]

Goedemiddag Leendert,


Many thanks for your input.


As both units were based at Florennes airfield, it must have happened at that airfield.


m vr gr , best regards


Luc

[Eagle0025]

Hello Luc,
I could only find a brief mention of this incident in the 429th's history "The Retail Gang". I also checked Jay Jones' excellent history on the 370th FG and was surprised to find no mention at all of this incident. I don't have any records on the two P-38s involved. You likely won't find any either since no major damage or crash occurred. Definitely happened at Florennes. I will keep checking though.
Cheers, Gary Koch