Crashed Mustang of 325th FG, Dec 28 1944

[mayfair35]

I knew Bill Margetts personally and have his story of going down during the 28 Dec 1944 mission. He had an engine failure and finally decided to bail out at 8000 feet; however, he could not get his canopy to release. Finally he had to push up with his body and the canopy released but struck Bill in the head and knocked him out. His wingman followed him down and reported he had been in a rather steep dive, hit the top of a hill and rolled over landing in the valley. He was very impressed with the Czech doctors who tended to him but had few medical supplies to work with. He of course was a POW until the end of the war when he returned to the States, was released from the Air Force, and went to work for a civilian company. He passed on in 2004 as I recall. Part of his medical problems may be traced to his injuries in the crash.
I am sorry I did not have an opportunity to answer this sooner but just found this site 2 days ago.
Cordially, Art Fiedler 317th FS; 325th FG