Maj Kurt Buhlingen's P-47 victory on June 6,1944

[kaki3152]

On D-Day,June 6,1944, Major Kurt Buehlingen claimed a victory over a P-47 at 1157 at 5-10 km near the Orne Estuary. Thus began the Luftwaffe scorecard against the Allies on D-day.

USAAF P-47s lossses on D-Day were the following:

(1) P-47D 42-25963 56th FG--F/O Evan McMinn--KIA while strafing
(2) P-47D 42-75552 353rd FG--F/O Earl Green--KIA by AA while strafing
(3) P-47D 42-75625 356th FG--F/O Emil F.Sova--POW by AA
(4) P-47D 42-42-25997 356th FG--Lt. George C. Kariva--POW after engine trouble
(5) P-47D 42-75168 365th FG--Lt. Robert L. Shipe--KIA-disappeared after bombing.
(6) P-47D 42-76203 365th FG--Lt. Jack J. Martel --KIA after caught by debris after bomb blast
(7) P-47D 42-76368 366th FG--?
(8) P-47D 42-26229 366th FG--?
(9) P-47D 42-25278 371th FG--lost over Channel

Can anyone provide more details? This has been a nagging question of mine that I've never seen clarified. One publication stated that it was a 365th FG P-47 but failed to provide any corroborating detail.Its possible the Lt. Shipe was caught by Buehlingen but I've been able to find no
evidence.

[Horst Weber]

Good morning kaki !

Very interesting question !. The 365th Group's pilots Shipe and Martell are not your pilots. According OpRep A No 68 A (365th FG) on June 6th, 1944, did the Group take off with 47 THUNDERBOLT at about 5:20 hrs and returned back at about 7:16 hrs. Two a/c were lost during the mission, 42-76203 and 42-75168.

Best regards !

Horst Weber

[Stephane Muret]

Horst and Kaki,

According to my files, you could add :

366 FG/ 390 FS : Lt A. T. Krause / crashed Omaha beach area
366 FG / 391 FS : 2nd Lt William Mc Gowen Crashed near Airel
366 FG : No more info MACR 5526
366 FG : No more info MACR 5542
50 FG : Lt Calvin King, lost beaches area

crash place for the following are :
Macminn : Bernay
Green : Mortain
Sova : Nieuw Milligen (Holland)
Kariva : St Pol sur Mer
Martell : St Lot d'Urville
Shipes : Saint Sauveur du Pont

Any new infos welcome ! I hope this could help you

Stephane Muret

[kaki3152]

Thanks Stephane and Horst!

Its looking like it could be a 366th FG machine?

[pjstouff]

Many thanks to you all for your posts. I am a new member of this forum! I know this is a bit delayed but I am writing in the event that you may have found information since the original posts regarding the P-47 you seek.

My Uncle, 2nd Lt. William McGowan (spelled with an "a") 366 FG / 391 FS and the pilot of P-47D 42-76368 crashed in a field near Moon-Sur-Elle (I have been to the site) north of St. Lo. He is buried at the site of the crash. I have been unable to find specific information regarding the cause although I know that was a very "active" area on D-Day. Were you able to find any additional information? I am going back to the site with my mother, Lt. McGowan's younger sister.

I also found an article with additional information regarding pilots Martell and Shipe, also KIA on D-Day as you noted.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...-path-for-gis/

Thank you!

[Chris Goss]

Of interest, I believe I have a photo of Buehlingen returning from this mission.

[FalkeEins]

interesting ..I think all the published photos of Bühligen (spelling) post-sortie in Normandy date from 7 June after he achieved his 100th...

[Chris Goss]

As I said I think (and I thought I had spelled his name incorrectly-one of the problems of being 1000 miles from home). I seem to remember it was him climbing out of his cockpit and then a group photo..............

[knusel]

Good morning Gentlemen,

can anybody confirm that this particular kill of Kurt Bühligen (6Jun1944) was scored in a Fw190A ?

Cheers,

Michael

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Michael

Short of somebody being able to check his Flugbuch there is probably no way to confirm which aircraft he was flying on a particular occasion but considering that he was certainly flying a Fw 190 A-8 the next day when he claimed his next two victories as recorded by photographs he almost certainly was. Incidentally, according to 2nd Tactical Air Force Volume One by Shores and Thomas this claim was actually made against a Typhoon of 183 Sqn, RAF.

Horrido!

Leo