R.W. Larson USAAF KIA Tunisia

[paulmcmillan]

Andy

If you could give us an idea of why you are looking for this man, or how come you knew approximatly when he was killed prehaps we can find out more infomation from these 'hooks'

Thanks

Paul

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Paul,

I'm researching the careers of aircrew that flew with the PRU.

With regards to Larson he is mentioned in Murray Anderson's "Saint PRAFTU". Anderson had previously known Larson in the UK when they were both with 1 PRU and was surprised to meet him in North Africa flying "Lightnings with an American photo recce unit". Anderson states that Larson was lost over Tunisia but gives no details.

In my opening post I stated that Larson was lost flying a F-5 but it could well have been a F-4 as I believe 3 PG didn't get the F-5A until late in the Tunisian campaign.

Cheers

Andy Fletcher

[kaki3152]

Finally got the answer to the fate of Roger Larson. The information came from
"A Pictorial History of the Mediterranean Allied Photo Reconnaisance Wing -1944"

Captain Larson,formerly with the RAF Eagle squadron, was one of the ace recon pilots of this war. He flew missions in direct support of the armies in Tunisia, and was killed 13 February 1943 on special courier flight to Tripoli for the Eight Army.

[kaki3152]

Scan

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Kaki,

Many thanks for the information. If he was killed on a courier flight he may well have been flying something other than an F-4 or F-5.

Thanks again.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[kaki3152]

Andy,
You're welcome, I did not realize I had this information until I was looking through this wartime pamphlet. I'm trying to put together a data base on the 3rd and 5th PRU and am having a difficult time obtaining information on some of the losses, espcially the early losses in Jan- April 43.
IMHO, he was probably not flying a F-4/F-5 on a courier flight though it's entirely possible. He was obviously held in high regard by his peers and it's disheartening that so little information remains available on him today.

Thanks,

Carlos

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Carlos,

3 PG were very short of recce aircraft early in the Tunisian campaign so as you say it is probable he was flying something other than an F-4 or F-5.

Cheers

Andy Fletcher