P-38 crash Devon UK 26 jan 1943

[brewerjerry]

Hi All,
Just when you think you have ended the research trail ......
my never ending search for the details of the a/c that 2 Lt Foreman crashed in ,
I have finally the correct date , etc :-

26th Jan 1943 ,
P-38, 42-2886, 78th Ftr Grp, took off from Portreath for Torch .......

but the report seems to have the wrong serial it gives, 42-2886 ,

internet searches give 42-2886 as a Fairchild PT-19A

Anyone any ideas ?? on the correct serial / codes / sub-type ??
Cheers
Jerry

[brewerjerry]

Hi,
an extra thought, 67MU records recovering a P-38 , 2369, [no date ]

presumably. Lockheed F-4A-1-LO Lightning, 41-2369 .

would this type be used in torch ? and 42-2886 is a misprint,
would 78th Ftr Grp, be using a F-4A ?

any suggestions/comments welcome, as usual.
Cheers
Jerry

[Andy Mac]

Hi Jerry - I have a locally written pamphlet about Portreath airfield, Ill dig it out and see what if any reference there is to your guy.

Andy.

ps where ie he buried out of interest??

[brewerjerry]

Hi Andy,
begining to wonder if the serial was, 42-12886.

Initially buried brookwood london , moved 1948, to hillside memorial park, los angeles, california.

seems also that on 20th july 43 a was P-38 was dedicated and named after him
Cheers
Jerry

[Nick Beale]

If he was flying from Portreath (Cornwall) to North Africa, how did he come to crash in Devon, I wonder?

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

These are the P38's lost in the UK area of operations in January to March 1943 as far as i can find.

They can be illiminated from the search ( You may have done so already).

15th Jan 43
Crashed
P38G 42-12920 Kenneth V. Burnett 13 PS crashed Lancashire, pilot killed.

26th Jan 43
P38F 43-2135 Jacj R. Bbr4own 78FG 82FS.
Crash
P38F 43-2148 Richard L.Rope killed in crash at Albufeira, Portugal on ferry flight.
Missing
P38F 41-7576 Donald S. Beals 78FG, 83 FS.
one of a flight of 9 a/c on a ferry flight to Gibraltar.
Salvaged
P38G 42-12905 Henry L. Perry jr 78FG, 83 FS.
mid air collision over Yorkshire with
P38G 42-12928 Stephen L. White 78FG, 83 FS
Both pilots killed.

15th Feb 43
Crashed
F-5A 42-12774 Earl W.Bierer 13 PS.
Pilot baled over Bucks.

28th Feb 43
Salvaged
P38G 43-12988 Harry H. Vogelsong 78FG.
One of 6 a/c taking off on ferry flight , a/c ground looped pilot safe.

2nd March
Crashed
P38/F-5A serial ? Jerome L. Foreman Unit unknown.
A/c crashed on Dartmoor, Devonshire pilot killed.

It would be great to know the pilots names and a/c serial numbers of those on the ferry flights dated above. How many completed the trip ?

As for the PT19B serial number yes it was .

And 42-2886 , most likely to be 42-12886 agreed.

All for now.

Alex

[Alex Smart]

IHi,

These are the P38's lost in the UK area of operations in January to March 1943 as far as I can find.

They can be illiminated from the search ( You may have done so already).

15th Jan 43
Crashed
P38G 42-12920 Kenneth V. Burnett 13 PS crashed Lancashire, pilot killed.

26th Jan 43
P38F 43-2135 Jack R. Brown 78FG 82FS.
Crash
P38F 43-2148 Richard L.Rope killed in crash at Albufeira, Portugal on ferry flight.
Missing
P38F 41-7576 Donald S. Beals 78FG, 83 FS.
one of a flight of 9 a/c on a ferry flight to Gibraltar.
Salvaged
P38G 42-12905 Henry L. Perry jr 78FG, 83 FS.
mid air collision over Yorkshire with
P38G 42-12928 Stephen L. White 78FG, 83 FS
Both pilots killed.

15th Feb 43
Crashed
F-5A 42-12774 Earl W.Bierer 13 PS.
Pilot baled over Bucks.

28th Feb 43
Salvaged
P38G 43-12988 Harry H. Vogelsong 78FG.
One of 6 a/c taking off on ferry flight , a/c ground looped pilot safe.

2nd March
Crashed/salvaged
P38/F-5A serial ? Jerome L. Foreman Unit unknown.
A/c crashed on Dartmoor, Devonshire pilot killed.
(Note Jerry's new date for this crash - where was your new info from jerry ? and where did you find the serial number ? ).

It would be great to know the pilots names and a/c serial numbers of those on the ferry flights dated above. How many completed the trip ?

As for the PT19B serial number yes it was .

And 42-2886 , most likely to be 42-12886 agreed.

All for now.

Alex

[brewerjerry]

Hi All,
date is now correct for foreman's crash, 26-01-43 , a/c & pilot found 01 mar 43, report from US.
odd as states :-
left Portreath, on his return to UK he was last seen in the vicinity of dartmoor,
so presumably weather or mechanical problems forced him to abort the flight.
think 42-12886 is probably the correct serial and the '1' is missing, or maybe was 43-2886 a P-38 ?
Cheers
Jerry

[Tony Kearns]

Alex
have you checked your Pm's
Tony Kearns

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Jerry,

I have never before seen Foreman's name mentioned in connection with the 78th FG or the P-38 renforcements for North Africa.

Have you tried to obtain his IDPF (Individual Deceased Personnel File) from the US Army Total Personnel Command ? Though it will take many months to arrive it should answer all your questions.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.