USAAF Pilots Who Scored Victories Over The Romanian Air Force

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,

So far I only knew at least one who has five air to air victories over the Romanian Air Force during WWII. His name is Herbert B. Hatch a DSC holder. Is there any US pilots that made ace against the Romanians. Well also perhaps two to four victories against the Romanians as well. I think John J. Voll might be one of them.

Sincerely,

Edward L. Hsiao

[drgondog]

Edward - that would be a very difficult question to answer. You need to overlay the loss records with the 15th AF Victory credits to start, then select Encounter Reports stored at NARA to further narrow down pilot to pilot. It is more a 'probability art' than a science.

[researcher111]

If you have the possibility to go though 1,14,31,52,82,325 FG's history books and various pilot memoirs ,there are various claims confirmed and unconfirmed, however and to my knowledge Hatch is the single pilot with 5 confirmed and an awarded SStar by Twining for such achievement on this theather of ops . The records are held however by 3 Soviet pilots who shot down 6-7 Romanian planes on the same day and one with 19 confirmed victories between March and June 1944 ,last got awarded British OBE for such achievements during activity on the Romanian front .

[HGabor]

Any idea about the S/N of Hatch's P-38J No.49?
Thanks,

Gabor

[researcher111]

Gabor will look it up for you , though I need to go through all publications
and this may take some time

[HGabor]

Thank you. I tried everything, but no luck. It was something 43-28xxx and was damaged on June 16, 1944 near lake Balaton. Cheers,
Gabor

[researcher111]

From his FG I have at least 27 publications , history books, diaries,memoires ,15 AF accounts by Twining , Gen.Strother Gen.Rush and Col.Grey as well those vets who sent me material , is not an easy task especially because of my daily activities in parallel to my 1st book final preparation stages in Moscow ,though I will do it and hopefully I will come up with a satisfactory answer for you mate .

[researcher111]

Gabor , in the interim when did he commence flying Mon Amy , coze this was a 44 one ? Are you sure the Balaton event was flown with a 43 ?

[HGabor]

Yes, I think 'Mon Amy' was a P-38J, S/N: 43-28xxx, boom No.'49'. Why do you think it was a 44 model? Eg. 44-23xxx?
Gabor

[researcher111]

Gabor, did you read An Ace and His Angel ? Why do I think ? dunno , you are the better specialist on S/N's battle colors etc , he flew with Mon Amy into the Silver Star as such you may be right was 43 and not 44 and yes 49 on the boom