4th FG book

[fsbofk]

A few other suggestions - Aces & Wingmen (by Danny Morris), Aces & Wingmen II Vol 1 (also by Danny Morris), and Aces & Wingmen II Vol 2 (by Bill Hess) all have sections about the 4 FG with many photos of planes and pilots. And ... don't give up on The Look of Eagles - two months ago, I won a first edition copy (with dust jacket) on eBay for $49, and I was the only bidder.

[Franek Grabowski]

Originally Posted by drgondog

"1000 Destroyed" by Hall is decent but many more factual errors - for example, Hall claims that the Green pick up of Pierce Mckinnon on 18 March 1945 was first Mustang "Piggyback Recue'. In fact Royce Priest rescued my father Bert Marshall, Jr on 18 August 1944 NE of Paris - exactly 6 months before. 354FS/355FG - both P-51D's.

Actually the first 'two seater' was FB382 PK-G, in which S/L Horbaczewski brought back W/O Tamowicz from a forward airfield in Normandy on 22 June 1944, both from 315 Sqn. Cockpit arrengement was later photographed with W/O Słoń instead of Tamowicz, and send to press agencies. It is interesting if this influenced further piggy-backs.

[ektra79]

Bluey,

In addition to all the volumes mentioned in previous posts, I would also recommend the following books: One Man Air Force, Don Gentile's short book (ghost written by journalist Ira Wolfert), Spitfires, Thunderbolts and Warm Beer (Lee Gover's story - good for info prior to the group switching to the P-51), The Debden Eagles (the precursor to Escort To Berlin), Kidd Hofer - Last of the Screwball Aces, Donald's Story (on 336 Squadron member Don Emerson), Wingman (Frank Speer's first book), The Last of the Knights and Over-paid, Over-sexed and Over Here(two other Goodson books) and The Eagles War (good info on the 4th prior to becoming the 4th!).

In addition, Fighters Up!, written by three journalists in the 1944 about 8AF fighter ops, has interesting observations on the 4th during the late March-early April 1944 time frame.

None of these volumes will give you a thorough history of the 4th, but each is valuable for giving a detailed look at specific events and personalities from a wide array of viewpoints.

Tim McCann

[shooshoobaby]

Another good book if you can find it is P - 51 Mustang Names and Nose Art by John and Donna Campbell.
Mike

[Pyker]

The Number One book for the 4th F.G. in World War II is:

Grover Hall"s 1000 Destroyed.

Hall was there and knew what he was writing about. The many photos are also a plus.

Pyker

[drgondog]

Franek - interesting question. I was aware of earlier pick ups in different a/c.. but very sure of the Mustang facts.. as well as another unpublished pick up attempt involving Lenfest (354FS Ops Officer flying my father's WR-B Jane III) and Brown (top 355FG ace just shot down after destroying his last German a/c on the ground) and Al White (future B-70 Test Pilot). On October 3, 1944 Lenfest attempted to pick up Brown and got stuck in mud. White landed nearby expecting to give up his WR-S to Brown and Lenfest but neither saw him and ran to the woods to become POW later.

White took off successfully and returned home for a royal chewing out.

As to the RAF piggy back influencing Priest - it could have. The other unique aspect of the Priest rescue is that Royce Priest trained as a Glider Pilot prior to entering Flight School and the skills he developed may also have contributed to his decision to pick up my father..

Another interesting aside is that my father had made his first belly landing (of 4) in WR-[u]B[u] Jane II 44-14293 on August 15th and flew Chuck Lenfest's WR-F on the 18th when he lost that to flak before being rescued by Priest..

Did not mean to elaborate or hijack this forum, but this is an example of Hall missing important fact in "1000 Destroyed". I still prefer "Mission to Berlin" as a more sound history.

[shooshoobaby]

Joe- many books with P - 51 pictures. Could you post some A/C that you can't find?
Mike

[drgondog]

Franek - thanks for the info on the June Rescue. I will have to amend the 355th FG rescue to be the first P-51D rescue - lol. Seriously, when I re-do Angels, Bulldogs and Dragons I would like to incorporate this little bit of history and credit you for the source?

Regards,

Bill

[Franek Grabowski]

Bill
Do you want a better scan of the photo? There were some piggybacks earlier but not involving Mustangs.