Crashed Mustang of 325th FG, Dec 28 1944

[Michal]

Hallo,

I am looking for any information about Mustang (S/N 44-15357) flown by Lt. W.C.Margett which crashed during escort of bombers on mission against Oil Targets in Bohemia. Plane belonged to 318th FS, 325th FG and crashed between Pelhřimov and Humpolec, Eastern Bohemia.

Any info about plane or pilot would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot

Michal

[Peter Kassak]

nickname "stonewall II"
that day mission resulted in 26 locomotives destroyed and 7 a/c on the ground...

hope this helps
I believe Dwayne Tabbat will know more as 325.official A/c historian...

Peter

[Michal]

Vdiaka. Thanks, it helps. From which source do you have information about name of plane? Does somebody know what was official reason of crash? Technical malfunction or shot down?

Yes, I know about destroyed planes (for example three Me 323 at Chrudim Airfield) and locomotives. It was first succesful attack on transport communication in Bohemia in such measure. Destroyed locomotives are known from Eastern, Central and Southern Bohemia. Almost all were destroyed by 332nd FG. Witnesses are speaking about Afroamericans as pilots. According to one witness and local researcher, pilot was wounded and later transported to some Military Hospital at Prague. Does somebody know something about fate of this pilot.

Thanks

Michal

[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

[Franek Grabowski]

Art, you are most welcome and I hope you will visit this site frequently!

[Michal]

Thank you very much, Art, for your information. It helps me a lot.

I am working on story about bombing of industrial facilities in town Kolín in Central Bohemia during WW2. Second bombing of this town took place on Dec 28 1944 and 325th and 332nd FG fighters covered bombers. During that day only fighters of 325th claimed 26 destroyed locomotives. I have collected information about more than 30 destroyed trains and some more information.

If you will have interest for further informations from Czech sources, you can contact me off board:

nanebemleti@nymburk.com

Best

Michal