P-47 Loss 13 Jun 43

[Chris Goss]

Luftwaffe records state that a P-47 crashed NW of Poperinge in Belgium at 1450 hrs on this date. Lt Friedrich Lange of 5/JG 26 claimed a P-47 of the 78th FG at St Jean/Ypres, presumably St Jan-ter-Biezen which is west of Poperinge. Can anyone add anything to this claim/loss?

[andy bird]

Hi Chris,

Combat Reports: http://www.ulongbeach.com/78th_Combat_Reports.html half way down page.
Andy B.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Andy but I am trying to match the German claim with a loss and cannot see in the combat reports any mention?

[Leendert]

Chris,

This P-47 most likely 41-6353 flown by 2 Lt Donald M. Marshall (POW). Crashed at Sint-Jan, the one near Ypres.

This was 78th FG, 84th FS.

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Chris,

Our trusted board member Joss also covered this loss on http://armentieres.free.fr/armpage9.html

Regards,

Leendert

[Chris Goss]

Most interesting and thanks. I wonder if anyone has Marshall's MACR? Interesting that one German record says 1450 hrs NW Poperinge (which is almost where this other Sint Jan is) and Lange says St Jan Ypres.

[Frank Olynyk]

Chris,
There does not appear to be a MACR for 41-6353, or any P-47 on June 13, 1943. The problem is that the MACR system did not officially start until about July 1, 1943. Any MACRs for losses before that date are fortuitous. Sometimes a unit would prepare MACRs for recent losses before July 1. Othertimes they were prepared as a result of a request from higher headquarters for a MACR, usually triggered by a request for information by a family member to a Congressman, who turned around and passed the request to the Air Force. There are MACRs for 1943 losses prepared in 1945.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Frank