P38 October 2,1942 1 FG

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

19th August 1942

1st Fighter Group
94th Fighter Squadron
41-7604, pilot 1Lt. Charles W. Oakley
T/O Kirton-in-Lindsey at 0930 hrs on a high altitude training flight, flying to Goxhill where Lt Oakley rendezvoused with HQ Squadron and together with the 94th and 71st Squadrons began to climb to altitude. At 10,000ft the formation ran into some heavy cumulus clouds and the flights became separated. On climbing to 25,000ft the Group Commander called to the 94th Leader to detach a section and intercept a target which had been sighted above. Lt Oakley peeled off to rejoin the formation, did a sort of half roll and started straight down, crashing between Knayton and Upsall, north of Thirsk, Yorkshire. KNO.

71stFighter Squadron
41-7617, pilot 2Lt. Robert R. McCord
T/O Goxhill on a Group formation flight, experiencing problems with the right engine propellor control and landing gear. Returned to Goxhill and landed with landing gear partly retracted. No injuries. RTD.

27th Fighter Squadron
pilot Lt. Webster
Landed at 1050 hrs two miles west of Alfriston, Sussex. Later in the day a/c was refueled and at 1604 hrs took off and landed at nearby Friston airfield. RTD.

Ref: "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces ETO Area-June 1942 to December 1943".

So correction , only one a/c lost 41-7604, other two looks like returned to service. perhaps lost at some later date.

Alex