355th Fighter Group 11.Sept.1944

[drgondog]

Jan - You are correct. My father, Bert Marshall,Jr, was leading the 354FS that day flying in the 7 O'clock position to the bomb ers that were attacked. According to the Encounter Report approximately 20 Me 109s attcked the B-24's and he designated Red Flight (himself) and Yellow Flight led by Capt Henry Brown to attack the diving Me109s while Blue and Green flights took on the top cover.

Marshall shot down two and damaged another from Red Flight - Brown destroyed three, Priest one from Yellow Flight.

Flt Lt Warren Peglar of Blue Flight shot down 2 Me 109s, along with Lt Schultz who got one.

The 354th lost two pilots, McCurry and Rafferty to light flak

The 358 FS - Lt Maich destroyed two Me 109s and Flt Lt Frost shot down one Me 109 plus damaged one in the air.

The 358th lost one pilot, Morgan, to light flak

The 357FS stayed with the bombers to protect them from further attack

I have done quite a bit of research and this thread has helped me make some corrections to the MACR reports - as nobody could actually pinpoint where Rafferty was shot down by flak. Thank you both very much

Attached are pics of Marshall, Brown, Peglar, Morgan and Frost. McCurry photo too large and I do not have a pic of Rafferty.

I also have several more of WR-P and WR-R plus possibly YF-S Big Stoop that Morgan was flying (this was normally assigned to McElroy -358 ace, who was not flying that day)

I would very much like pictures and data re: JG53 pilots and Staffel and permission to publish in my new book about the 355th. You may also use these photos as you wish. Is it certain that only JG 53 was engaged - or did JG300 also get involved between Kassel and GieBen?

Mirko - did you ever get my email?

Regards,

Bill Marshall