27. November 1944, 1st. Lt. James F. Cross, 353FG/352 FS

[Buckeye30]

It seems the only P-51 claimed on the 27th was by Uffz. Herbert Labensky 1./JG27 . He was KIA 1/3/45. This was Mission 350 for the 353FG.
Cross was flying Capt. A R Rosatone's P-51D 44-15388 "Stasia" SX-U ( MACR 10471) : Rosatone was KIA 18/1/45 in "Stasia II".

[Rottler]

Hello,

the casualty number/Abschussnummer for the 44-15388 was J 2514, not KU 2514.
In the German report on captured aircraft from November 29, 1944 is pointed out, that the fighter came down vertically into the ground, crashed and burned. The crash place was 800 m east of Altena, map grid JA 9.

According to the "Final Report on Enemy Equipment and Crews" from December 28, 1944 the crash place was Altena-Schultal. The wreck was guarded by police and landwatch.
Technical statements:
Fuselage, landing gear, wings and tail unit 95% destruction, engine 90% destruction.
The body of 1st Lt James Franklin Cross was salvaged on December 7, 1944, identified by police and buried at the County Cemetery Altenau, grave No. 666.


Regards
Leo