P 47 228461

[Horst Weber]

Originally Posted by Peter Randall

42-28461 Y8-X of 507 FS, 404 FG belly-landed on 14th February (I assume due to system failure) and it was declared "Category E" (a write-off). It was therefore collected for salvage by 2nd Air Depot to begin the process of converting it into ingots of aluminium. The term "salvaged" in the AAF equates to "struck off charge" in the RAF.
Peter

Good evening Peter !

P-47 USAAFs/n 42-28461 took off at about 13:30 hrs to an armed-recon mission with 11 other P-47 of 404th FG, 507th FS to the Düren-Brühl-Neuss area. Whilst the mission, a/c 42-28461 was hit by flak and finally bellied in in friendly lines at K-9247. This is about 4 km East of Aachen in the Stolberg area. The Pilot was not injured and had been returned to his Squadron. The report also mentiones the AAF s/n of the a/c as 42-28461.

This information is filed at the AFHRA microfilm reel # B0493, page 294/295 in the operation report for that day.

By my opinion, this a/c flew it's mission in the target area, received flak-hits and made it back to the Aachen area, which was then held by American forces.

All the best !

Horst Weber

[Horst Weber]

Originally Posted by Frank Olynyk

Horst, or others,

Can you tell me if the microfilm A5686 records just the losses of 8th and 9th Air Forces, or does it also cover 12th and 15th Air Forces in the Mediterranean?

Enjoy!

Frank.

Good evening Frank !

My apologies for the late reply to your question. But it is not easy to read a microfilm reel of about 1800 pages in a short time.

This microfilm reel covers from page # 71 to page # 850 all 8th & 9th Air Force losses, mishaps, accidents, war-weary a/c's, transferrings to other Air Forces and written-offs month-by-month and in a very meticulous serial-by-serial order.

The filing starts in 1942 and ends in 1945.

The filing system seems to be Hollerith.

This filing is the general database for the books "Losses of the U.S. 8th & 9th
Air Forces" by John A. Hey and Stan D. Bishop.

On this reel, you'll find no comparable data of 12th & 15th Air Force losses but a lot of statistics like bombing results against axis towns and industries up to the last days of April 1945.

Best wishes !

Horst Weber

[Frank Olynyk]

Horst,

Many thanks. I think I will get the reel. Although I will get it as a PDF on a CD (same price). Most, if not all, of the microfilm reels at USAFHRA have been converted into PDF files, and you can order either type. The advantage of the PDF is that you can enlarge the image with PDF controls, rather than having to change lenses on a microfilm reader (the lens on my reader cannot be changed).

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Flupke]

Pilot was Maj Ray Jack (RTD)

Regards
Phil

[HMS1983]

Dear Peglar

Is it possible you can send me that picture as well ? Would appreciate it very much.

From the 507th Fighter Squadron's records I can add the following :

"On the 19th word was received that Major Jack Ray was 'on the list' to go home. He had just bellied in on February 14 because of battle damage near Strip Y-46 at Eschweiler, on his 98th mission leading a four-ship mission. It was his first and only forced landing, and apparently Col Moon decided he had run enough risks and deserved the trip back to the States. Organized by Lt Driscoll, all the squadron officers had a supper party for Jack in a little café in St.-Trond, a block or two down from the city square. They enjoyed delicious ‘black market’ hamburgers, topped off with fried eggs, kidded the guest of honor into making a farewell speech, and thoroughly enjoyed the celebration."

"Jack finished his combat tour with 98 missions, 192 combat hours and 1180 total flying hours (the 1180 includes the Stateside training and flying). He had been hit by flak four or five times, necessitating three tail changes and a wing change. His closest call was a hit back in Normandy that drilled a hole in the canopy right behind his head. He returned to his wife and 18-month old daughter, Margaret, living in Franklin, Virginia."

Best

Hendrik

[Peglar]

Hendrik - no Problem - e-mail ?

Greetings Peglar

[HMS1983]

Hi Peglar

Thanks for the picture !

Best

Hendrik