Maj Kurt Buhlingen's P-47 victory on June 6,1944

[kaki3152]

On D-Day,June 6,1944, Major Kurt Buehlingen claimed a victory over a P-47 at 1157 at 5-10 km near the Orne Estuary. Thus began the Luftwaffe scorecard against the Allies on D-day.

USAAF P-47s lossses on D-Day were the following:

(1) P-47D 42-25963 56th FG--F/O Evan McMinn--KIA while strafing
(2) P-47D 42-75552 353rd FG--F/O Earl Green--KIA by AA while strafing
(3) P-47D 42-75625 356th FG--F/O Emil F.Sova--POW by AA
(4) P-47D 42-42-25997 356th FG--Lt. George C. Kariva--POW after engine trouble
(5) P-47D 42-75168 365th FG--Lt. Robert L. Shipe--KIA-disappeared after bombing.
(6) P-47D 42-76203 365th FG--Lt. Jack J. Martel --KIA after caught by debris after bomb blast
(7) P-47D 42-76368 366th FG--?
(8) P-47D 42-26229 366th FG--?
(9) P-47D 42-25278 371th FG--lost over Channel

Can anyone provide more details? This has been a nagging question of mine that I've never seen clarified. One publication stated that it was a 365th FG P-47 but failed to provide any corroborating detail.Its possible the Lt. Shipe was caught by Buehlingen but I've been able to find no
evidence.

[Horst Weber]

Good morning kaki !

Very interesting question !. The 365th Group's pilots Shipe and Martell are not your pilots. According OpRep A No 68 A (365th FG) on June 6th, 1944, did the Group take off with 47 THUNDERBOLT at about 5:20 hrs and returned back at about 7:16 hrs. Two a/c were lost during the mission, 42-76203 and 42-75168.

Best regards !

Horst Weber

[Stephane Muret]

Horst and Kaki,

According to my files, you could add :

366 FG/ 390 FS : Lt A. T. Krause / crashed Omaha beach area
366 FG / 391 FS : 2nd Lt William Mc Gowen Crashed near Airel
366 FG : No more info MACR 5526
366 FG : No more info MACR 5542
50 FG : Lt Calvin King, lost beaches area

crash place for the following are :
Macminn : Bernay
Green : Mortain
Sova : Nieuw Milligen (Holland)
Kariva : St Pol sur Mer
Martell : St Lot d'Urville
Shipes : Saint Sauveur du Pont

Any new infos welcome ! I hope this could help you

Stephane Muret

[kaki3152]

Thanks Stephane and Horst!

Its looking like it could be a 366th FG machine?

[pjstouff]

Many thanks to you all for your posts. I am a new member of this forum! I know this is a bit delayed but I am writing in the event that you may have found information since the original posts regarding the P-47 you seek.

My Uncle, 2nd Lt. William McGowan (spelled with an "a") 366 FG / 391 FS and the pilot of P-47D 42-76368 crashed in a field near Moon-Sur-Elle (I have been to the site) north of St. Lo. He is buried at the site of the crash. I have been unable to find specific information regarding the cause although I know that was a very "active" area on D-Day. Were you able to find any additional information? I am going back to the site with my mother, Lt. McGowan's younger sister.

I also found an article with additional information regarding pilots Martell and Shipe, also KIA on D-Day as you noted.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...-path-for-gis/

Thank you!

[Chris Goss]

Of interest, I believe I have a photo of Buehlingen returning from this mission.

[FalkeEins]

interesting ..I think all the published photos of Bühligen (spelling) post-sortie in Normandy date from 7 June after he achieved his 100th...

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

At what height was the P-47 claimed at?

Stephen

[knusel]

1200 m according to Johannes Mathews.