2Lt. Alfred B. Abeles, 430FS, KIA

[Eagle0025]

I am seeking any and all information on the missing crash site of 2Lt. Abeles (O-773507) who was shot down by enemy flak at approximately 1130 hours, 23 Jan 45 while flying P-38J-15-LO, serial number 43-28726, coded K6-P. Abeles was witnessed by another 430FS pilot (2Lt. Kennard K. Jones) coming off a third strafing pass on some trucks. Jones saw Abeles’ ship “mushing along the tree tops apparently one engine was hit. It looked like it was windmilling”. Abeles’ P-38 hit the top of the trees and exploded, burning as it went down through the woods. Jones estimated the crash location at map reference F-536253, SE of Euskirchen. A Casualty Clearance plan states another map reference of F-546753.

The 428th and 429th Fighter Squadrons each flew an armed recce mission on the morning of 23 Jan 45 in the area of Gemund, Euskirchen, Honningen, and Adenau. The 428th FS dropped 1000-pound bombs on motor traffic in a small town at map reference F-315150, near Muenstereifel (map reference F-3118). The 429th FS formation bombed and strafed a German HQ at Wallerede (map reference P-8890). Both formations incurred some flak damage but no losses.

Abeles' crash site/remains have never been located. During 1947, the district police of Koln made inquiries regarding a 23 Jan 45 P-38 crash in the following communities: Euskirchen, Kuchenheim, Weidesheim, Gross- and Kleinbuellesheim, Esch, Strassfeld, Flamersheim, Palmersheim, Kirchheim, Stotzheim, Roitzheim, Niederkastenholz, Arloff-Kirspenich, Iversheim, Muenstereifel, Eschweiler, Wachendorf (sic), Rissdorf (sic), eiler auf dem Berge, Satzvey, Antweiler, Lessenich, Kreuzweingarten, Wisskirchen, and Euenheim. In all of these communities, nothing was known of the crash in question and no American soldiers were buried in the cemeteries or fields in their districts. During 1948, officials in the Meckenheim area (suspected crash area) were interviewed and also stated that no Allied aircraft had crashed on this date within the jurisdiction of Meckenheim.

Just thought I would put out a post to see if there was some new information out there. Thanks in advance.

Gary Koch (474th FG Association Historian)