FRancis Berry Peoples 332nd FG

[Russell]

Hello everyone,
The 332nd FG Missin report for 18 November 1944 says 2/Lt Peoples participated in a sweep to Villafranca area, but took off late to catch up with formation and not seen again;
The nly details I have are
Peoples, Francis B.
44-D-SE 4/15/1944 Graduation Class
0828055
Henderson NC
He is nothing a PoW, nor KiA,no sign of an MACR, and I cant find what Squadron he was in and what a/c he was flying. He is not listed in the usual very good sources for accidents.
Does any one know what hapened to him?

Regards

Russell

[Leendert]

There is a FB account about confusion with fellow 301st FS pilot Lt. Henry F. Peoples.
Seehttps://www.facebook.com/wingsmuseum/posts/onthisdayinhistory-in-1944-a-pilot-goes-down-and-joins-the-resistancewe-spoke-ye/734386605389147/

By his (Lt Francis Peoples) story, he was shot down over Yugoslavia, picked up by partisans and after some months flown back to Italy where he resumed flying missions.

Morning Report 18 Nov 1944 for 301st FS reports no losses: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5765...bjectPage=1362 and 1363

Lt Henry Peoples (0-828056...) is mentioned there.

Leendert

[Leendert]

AAIR has (a) Lt Francis B. Peoples killed in a flying accident in P-40E 41-5354 nr Auburn, AL on 27 April 1944.

Leendert

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Leendert

By his (Lt Francis Peoples) story, he was shot down over Yugoslavia, picked up by partisans and after some months flown back to Italy where he resumed flying missions.

Leendert

If the missing man took off for Villafranca di Verona on 18 November 1944, it was probably in connection with the B-24 raid that day on the airfield. It would take some creative navigation to end up in Yugoslavia if you were starting in Ramitelli (?) and aiming for Verona. Obviously nothing's impossible but …

[Leendert]

DNB of Lt Francis B. Peoples (O-820855) on 27 April 1944 here:https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4683...ect-thumb--207

If 332nd FG was missing (?) a Lt Peoples, then Lt Henry F. Peoples (O-820856) of 301st FS. But no report of that...

Don't know what to make of FB story.

Leendert

[Leendert]

Perhaps also read these stories with 332nd FG pilots picked up by Tito-partisans:

https://cafriseabove.org/captain-william-w-green-ii/

https://arkavhs.com/index.php/hall-o...lby-westbrook/


Francis and Henry Peoples in one picture here after graduation of their Class:
https://www.newspapers.com/article/n...nes/207800691/


Leendert

[Russell]

Hi all

Thanks for the responses. In a morning report for 18 Nov four pilots are listed as being sent on temporary duty to AAFRC in Naples. I take that as being the Army Air Force Rest Centre, on the Isle of Capri. Henry R Peoples is one of them. I assume he went flying before he found out about his trip to the rest camp.

Thanks for cor4recting it to Henry from Francis. The very north of Yugoslavia and the Istrian penisula is far from Villafranca (a mere 250km), but at least the two 460th BG B-24s lost on that date went down in northern Yugoslavia. They were choosing to head for partisan country if damaged rather than going down into the Adriatic.

Mentioned in January 45 History report as being promoted to 1/Lt. DFC 16 March 45 gazetted 28 April 45 in order 2834. I assume he returned in December 44, but it isnt mentioned. He may also have landed at Zara which by mid November was occupied by the allies and had an emergency landing strip.


Russell

Russell

[Alex Smart]

https://www.perrylibrary.org/america...ncis-b-peoples

And from AAIR database -
Moody, Roland W - P-40 40-0500 - 1155 TEFT - LACMF /Landing accident due to mechanical failure.
Peoples, Francis Bacon - P-40 41-5354 - 1155 TEFT - KCRGC/Ground collision.
So looks like Moody's aircraft struck Peoples aircraft as it was either taxiing or taking off ?
Or they were two separate events at the same base on the same day ?
This happened in the USA.
Alex

[Leendert]

Russell,

Re #7: Lt. Henry R. Peoples had returned from the Rest Center on 17 Nov 1944. He went there on 10 Nov 1944: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5765...bjectPage=1352

Still no report of him going missing on 18 Nov 1944.

Leendert

[Alex Smart]

Lt Col. Henry R, PEOPLES.

Birth: 5 December, 1921.
Starkville, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, USA.

Death : 15 September, 1994.
Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA.

Details from Findagrave.