Friendly fire WWII

[drgondog]

Brian - PS I do know which 358FS pilot shot down Robert Peters, but out of respect for his family and the survivors of Peter's family I choose not to reveal the name.

The story was pretty sad as the daughter of Peters in searching for the "why and how' discovered an eyewitness to subsequent events. Apparently Peters was mortally wounded but under full control of his YF-X and landed wheels down in a field. Polish farmers rushed to his smoking Mustang to provide assistance, but intercepted by German soldiers who formed a ring around the P-51 but made no effort to approach. Peters allegedly waved to the Polish farmers and after a couple of minutes slumped down in the cockpit and died... how would you like to get THAT letter.

Regards,

Bill Marshall

[Franek Grabowski]

Bill
Sorry, but I have read a little bit different story. The pilot who downed Peters visited the family just after the war and expressed his heartiest regret. Reputedly they apparently forget his name. A few years ago they were contacted by a man (Jerzy Boć?) who researched both 355 crashes in the area and I presume it was at the time they learned exact circumstances.
As yet I was unable to identify the German unit involved. A few years ago I have heard story of a German pilot visiting the crashsite in 1990s - I supose he downed Vigna. According to a one account a German pilot landed at a nearby airfield (likely Chrcynne near Nasielsk, now still in use for ultralights and skydiving) and rode to the crashsite.
Another US airman was murdered by Germans during the mission, this being one of the cremembers of B-17 We'll be seeing you which crashed at Dziekanów Leśny on Northern suburbs of Warsaw. This Fortress was claimed by JG51.

[chrisalan368]

Hello There.
Regarding friendly fire. I have noted at least five instances of friendly fire over Scoglitti, Sicily in Jun/Jul 1944. All of them C-47s. This info is available on Joe Baughers website. However there is an awful lot of info to trawl through to find what you are interested in.
Regards
Alan

[Brian]

Many thanks Alan, I have this well documented.

Cheers
Brian

[bevwebb]

Sgt Ronald David Baker 518293 buried in Letchworth cemetary, Hertfordshire, was a BoB pilot who was the victim of friendly fire. While on convoy patrol on 11/08/40 he was shot down by a lone Spitfire. He baled out but was dead when found. He was with 56 Sqdn.
Bev Webb

[Brian]

Thanks Bev - I do have note of that incident.

Cheers
Brian

[bevwebb]

If you look at my recent posts, there is a case of 'friendly fire' there that you may be interested in.
Bev Webb

[Brian]

Hi Bev

I did acknowledge your contribution on Post 285! But thanks again, anyway


Hi Alex - thanks for that one - another wee dram I owe you!!

Cheers
Brian

[dakota]

Just one accident locally -
22/6/41 at Wollaston Northants, England, Manchester L7314 of 207 Sqdn, Waddington, Lincs was shot down by a Beaufighter of 25 Sqdn, Wittering.
dakota.

[Brian]

Hi Zemper and Dakota

Apologies for the delay in thanking you for your input but I have been away for a few days.

Keep 'em coming!

Cheers
Brian