Capt George Boteler 78th FG

[JACK COOK]

Looking for info on Capt George Boteler of the 83rd FS 78th FG. He was credited with .5 ME-109 and 1 ME-110 in P-47Ds. I'm trying to find the date he went down in Belgium in 1945. I couldn't locate a MACR.

[Peter Randall]

Jack, Don't know why you think he went down in Belgium in 1945. He finished his tour in September 1944 and certainly did not fly any P-51 missions, which the 78th started from January '45.

Peter

[shooshoobaby]

Jack -
Rank shown as a Lt. in Books.
Assigned 83d Sq. 4/44 - 9/44.
Could he have transferred to 9th AF
or other AF ?
Mike

[JACK COOK]

Hi Peter,
Well......his daughter got my number (she saw a post on the 78th FG on wix) and called me seeking info on him.
She understood he was shot down and evaded. Me thinks I'm now tap dancing through a mine field.............

[Revi16]

You'll find Boteler listed on this page, date 440724

http://www.accident-report.com/world...uk/uk4407.html

[Peter Randall]

You could well be right Jack. Tap gently! She emailed me yesterday and I replied giving what info I have. He was certainly still a 1Lt. when his tour finished but I would not have details of any subsequent promotions. Facts are that he does not appear in the MACR listing nor the Escape and Evasion listing. The only reference I have on him, other than the dates already quoted, is the accident report noted in the posting above, which refers to a crash landing at Duxford due to engine failure on 24 July 1944 in 42-25837 HL-A. Seems like another case of a wartime story being somewhat embelished over the years or maybe just a partial memory taking on a complete new aspect. Either way, I think that trying to follow up on POW status and escape/rescue would be a non-starter.

Peter