2 July 1944 losses of the shuttle mission FGs

[kaki3152]

Looking through my files, I found this picture of a shot down 4th FG P-51 on Hungarian soil,given to me some twenty years ago by Georg Punka.

It's supposedly the A/C flown by Lt. J.C. Norris, 336th FS, P-51B, S/N 43-6650.Note the Hungarian uniforms and the invasion stripes on the wing,something you would not find on a 15th AF P-51.

[HGabor]

This is Capt. George I. Stanford Jr.'s P-51D, S/N: 44-13402, 'WD-K' at Pilisvörösvár (Budapest-N), along Csobánkai road in a cornfield after engine failure on July 2, 1944. Chances are the plane was set on fire by the pilot himself before taken P.O.W. Nickname: 'Judy Lee' or something like that... The Gerecse mountain can be seen in the background.
Cheers,

Gabor

[GaraiB]

Nice article and posts. I like this kind of storys. I learned many things and information.
I attached two pictures which is connected to article. Both of them from internet.

(Other: this day my gradfather corp. Kalman Garai had a flight by Me210Ca-1 with his gunner private Laszlo Kuti, from Tapiószentmárton airfield.
The flight was early morning and take 1,5 hours. Training flight altitude:5000m.
Unit: 5/1. Night Fighter squadron)

Best regards,

Balazs Garai

[Csaba B. Stenge]

As for the loss of Stanford, he crash-landed (which is a fact), according to his reminiscence because of engine trouble (thrown rod). The remains of the wreck shows no sign of MG/cannon hits. According to my research, György Debrődy shot Norris's Mustang down (se my Hungarian aces book from 2006, page 46 -PeterKa, you owns a copy of that). I assume, during the confirmation procedure, the wrecks were confused and Stanford's plane was credited to Debrődy erroneously, which was not rare at this time (Debrődy claimed a Mustang in high altitude, which pilot bailed out - it was Norris who was shot down in high altitude by a Bf 109 and bailed out).

As for the later not confirmed Mustang claim of Krizsevszky and the loss of Hofer, there was no evidence and corroboration, that the claim of Krizsevszky had any ties to the loss of Hofer.

The separated wing on a corn field is from Sharp's Mustang, not from Norris's aircraft.

[Peter Kassak]

Thanks a lot guys...not much to the Me 410 possible victim, but seems it is either outdated story or mystake of a pilot. Thanks
Regards

Peter

[ektra79]

kaki3152,

read your post with great interest - but coul not see attached photo. Would it be possible for you to send me a copy? We'd love to have it in our archives.

Kind regards,

Tim McCann
Association of the 4th Fighter Group

[ektra79]

Gabor,

Was unable to view the photo described in your post above. WOuld it be possible to get a copy of it? We would love to have it for our archives.

Kind regards,

Tim McCann
Association of the 4th Fighter Group

[HGabor]

Tim,

2 shots of Capt. George I. Stanford Jr's Mustang near Pilisvörösvár (Budapest-N,-NW), Hungary on July 2, 1944. Belly landed, set on fire. Cheers,

Gabor

Story here:
http://istvan.botzheim.hu/kutat/egyf...settrepulo.htm

[Dénes Bernád]

Indeed, 'Judy' is visible on the nose of the smouldering wreck. The 'Mustang' displays full D-Day invasion stripes on the rear fuselage.
We identified it as victim of Főhadnagy vitéz György Debrődy.

Both photos were published in 'Hungarian Fighter Colours', vol. 2, pages 359 and 360.

[ektra79]

Hi Gabor,

Many thanks! Since we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Shuttle back in 2014 we have expanded our knowledge of the operations of FRANTIC II. These images are a great addition!

I'll check our files to see if we have any name credited to Stanford's kite. If we have anything I'll let you know.

Thanks again!

Cheers!