Mustang Loss Kosovo Aug 1944

[vathra]

It would be nice to post photo, if it is not a problem.

[Chris Goss]

This is it

[Boris Ciglic]

Hi Chris,

Very interesting photo (at least for us in Serbia). This is definitely RAF machine and as such the 213 Sqn is the only candidate and they were quite active in that area in that particular time frame. From the data that I have an Mk.III might fit into the picture.

On 27 July F/Sgt A Smailes was hit by flak during a loco hunt in the area Priština - Kosovska Mitrovica and reputedly force landed 5 km NE of Uroševac (which is some 40 km NE of Prizren). It could have been a small navigational error on behalf of the returning pilots, as I know for many instances when RAF & USAAF pilots missed their whereabouts over Yugoslavia for quite a distance.

None of the August losses fits so well. Two pilots were killed, two bailed out and the one that made a forced landing did so in Croatia, in Partisan-held territory.

Cheers,
Boris

[Chris Goss]

Boris/Vathra

I have looked closer at what is written on the back of the photo and it now appears to be Strecke Kragujevac-Prizren. A bit more digging and I have found that 174145 Fg Off Anthony Archibald Smailes force-landed 3 miles NE of Uroševac 1015 hrs 27 July 1944 and was taken POW. Serial, which is incorrect, is stated to be B318? Does this help?

[SteveB]

Hi coming late into this!
FB318 was the aircraft Tony Smailes was flying on 27 July and the codes were AK-D. There is a better photo of this aircraft when first delivered in the Air Britain 213Sqn history "The Hornet Strikes" page 127.
Steve

[vathra]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Boris/Vathra

I have looked closer at what is written on the back of the photo and it now appears to be Strecke Kragujevac-Prizren.

Hello Chris,

Road Kragujevac-Prizren sounds pretty strange, because they are far away, with several crossroads in between.

Maybe it is written Djakovica-Prizren?

I also think that it is RAF plane, but since I have only material for american planes (MACRs and Escape statements), I can be of little help here.

[Chris Goss]

It is strange but that is what is definitely written.

I have had 2 more suggestions:

FB324/213 Sqn, Flak 50 miles NW Pristina 9 Aug 44
FB322/213 Sqn, Flak Hovice, 4 Aug 44

[SteveB]

I think, as Boris wrote, these aircraft were a total loss.

On 4/8/44 2/Lt S W Pienaar (SAAF) was flying FB322...he called up to say his arm was injured and that he was going to force land. 1 mile NNW of ILOVICE aircraft was seen to crash into side of wood, bursting into flames. Pilot did not get out of aircraft.

Om 9/8/44 Lt L J Leach (SAAF) was flying FB324...1 aircraft was seen to be hit by moderate light flak from area West of PRISTINA. Flash or flame from cockpit seen, probably direct hit. aircraft heeled over, diving vertically into ground from 500 ft. A/c burst into flames on impact.

Schoeman has both pilots kia on these dates.

Steve

[vathra]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

It is strange but that is what is definitely written.

I have had 2 more suggestions:

FB324/213 Sqn, Flak 50 miles NW Pristina 9 Aug 44
FB322/213 Sqn, Flak Hovice, 4 Aug 44

In that case, we should not limit search to Kosovo, and searching through central Serbia would be appropriate.