Major Gabriel C. Russell 14th FG KIA/MIA March 4,1943

[kaki3152]

Trying to find out more about the cause of death of Major Gabriel C. Russell, 14th FG, S/N O-021321. According to ABMC, he was killed on Mach 4,1943. His body appears not to have been recovered. The location of his death,according to one site, was French Morocco.

Was he the pilot of the P-38 that was shot down by a Spanish He-112 in March 1943?

[kaki3152]

Bump-Nothing? Major Russell was a West Point Graduate-class of 1938.

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
He is still on the mia list.
Alex

[kaki3152]

And he listed as KIA/MIA on a date before the 14th FG returned to action?

[kaki3152]

Sorry to disturb an old thread but maybe someone can provide more information.

It's interesting how this loss is described in MAW3. There are two losses listed for the 14th FG on March 4,1943. First, the loss of Major Gabriel C. Russell KIA. After this, another 14th FG loss: "P-38 damaged by He112 over Spanish Morocco, force landed near Mulluva river, Algeria, pilot unstated".

I think there was only one P-38 involved in this incident.

[kaki3152]

From the Spanish side: " On March 3, 1943 a formation of Allied planes was seen straying into Spanish airspace yet again, and Grupo 27's alert plane was scrambled with Teniente Miguel Entrena Klett at the controls. After climbing to 3500 m, he spotted the target aircraft and identified them as eleven Lockheed P-38s. He then positioned for an attack out of the sun (which was to the rear of the formation) and made a diving pass on the trail-end aircraft. Several hits were made with the 20 mm rounds (his MGs were later discovered to be unloaded), and the plane started trailing smoke and was forced down in Algeria."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinke...tional_service

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Just in case you did not find it already, check https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/5...ldwell-russell