C-47 loss, 327th Ferrying Squadron, Italy, 11 Oct 1944
The monthly diaries 327th Ferrying Squadron (Capodichino, Italy) mention some air losses that seem to have evaded the usual air accident websites.
One is a C-47 on 11 October 1944 flown by 1st Lt William R. Phelps and co-pilot F/O Peek of the RAF. Bound for Annecy, France with a load of ammunition, the C-47 had a loss of oil pressure in the starboard engine with a fire following. Extinguisher failed. The a/c eventually ditched off Anzio and sank after 5 minutes. Crew had gotten out and managed to climb onto dinghies.
After two hours an RAF Wellington (Warwick?) dropped an extra raft. A Royal Navy patrol vessel picked the men up later and landed them at Anzio.
Other crew were crew chief Sgt. Murowski, assistant crew chief Pfc Merke, navigator (Lt?) Warren C. Martin. Name of RO not mentioned.
In August 1944 there's talk of two P-40 losses. First on 21 August with Lt. Donald D. Gregor in a war weary P-40F. Flying from Bevino near Bastia on Corsica, he crashlanded at Marcianise airfield, Italy.
On 23 August 1944 Lt. Donald W. Horn had to ditch in the Bay of Ajaccio shortly after take-off due to engine trouble in another war-weary P-40.
Lt Horn could free himself from the P-40, which sank very quickly.
I assume the P-40s were bound to be written off regardless of the crashes, but am puzzled by the elusive C-47. Serial known?
Info welcome, thanks.
Regards, Leendert
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