Lt. Harry J. Murphy Lost January 8,1942

[kaki3152]

According to NARA records, the above Lieutenant Harry J. Murphy, O-885487 was flying with the 82nd FG when he was shot down on January 8.1943 and captured. Can't find any mention of him in MAW3 or Adorimini;The Story of the 82nd FG.

Does anyone have more information?

[Frank Olynyk]

Try January 8, 1943.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[kaki3152]

Sorry, finger trouble. I meant 1943 but I did not find anything.

[Frank Olynyk]

MAW, volume 3, page 245. Combat description on pages 243 and 244, although Murphy is not named.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[kaki3152]

Interesting that this loss is not specified in Adorimini, which is one of the best Group histories. Proves you can't take anything for granted but have to verify all.

[Martin Gleeson]

Really interesting thread. For years before my involvement with the EAGLES OVER EUROPE project among other things I researched the early history of the 82nd FG, up to May 1943. I tried to establish a list of all the pilots who flew to North Africa in December 1942 and eventually reached 77 (including those lost on the way), but I have never seen the name Harry J. Murphy. Great find, because the first three months in North Africa are a nightmare to work on due to loss of original documentation or lack of access to surviving files.

Over the years I have had very few dealings with NARA, mainly because I have no idea what they have. Is it fair to ask what document or type of file you found his name in ?

I would vary with Frank though on the 82nd FG losses on page 243 insofar as all four losses appear to have occurred on separate missions. The Group flew between four and six missions that day with 59 sorties (possibly only 51 effective). This comes from a statistical report by the Group for January 1943 ('SCU Form 34 Supplement).

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

[kaki3152]

I found the name of Lt. Harry Murphy in a series from Group 242 (enemy captured records) which has the "Amerikaner Vorgange" or Records of Luftgaukommandos: German AV ("Amerikaner Vorgange") Reports. They have correspondence on American pilots, both POW or KIA. Quite fascinating reading. Here is a link.

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6919353

[Martin Gleeson]

Kaki3152,

Thank you very much for the link. I had no idea NARA had digitised some material. I found Lt. Murphy on page 41 of the first AV file in that list.

Regards,

Martin.

[SCohen]

I've noticed in North Africa fighter squadrons I have researched, specifically the 52nd, pilots were loaned to and from the squadrons quite frequently, and in the monthly histories, from which I assume the history you are referring to is largely based, they didn't necessarily keep close tabs on either those transferred in or out when those pilots were lost. Not sure if it is the case here, but something to consider.