Mustang Loss Kosovo Aug 1944

[SteveB]

Hi coming late into this!
FB318 was the aircraft Tony Smailes was flying on 27 July and the codes were AK-D. There is a better photo of this aircraft when first delivered in the Air Britain 213Sqn history "The Hornet Strikes" page 127.
Steve

[vathra]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Boris/Vathra

I have looked closer at what is written on the back of the photo and it now appears to be Strecke Kragujevac-Prizren.

Hello Chris,

Road Kragujevac-Prizren sounds pretty strange, because they are far away, with several crossroads in between.

Maybe it is written Djakovica-Prizren?

I also think that it is RAF plane, but since I have only material for american planes (MACRs and Escape statements), I can be of little help here.

[Chris Goss]

It is strange but that is what is definitely written.

I have had 2 more suggestions:

FB324/213 Sqn, Flak 50 miles NW Pristina 9 Aug 44
FB322/213 Sqn, Flak Hovice, 4 Aug 44

[SteveB]

I think, as Boris wrote, these aircraft were a total loss.

On 4/8/44 2/Lt S W Pienaar (SAAF) was flying FB322...he called up to say his arm was injured and that he was going to force land. 1 mile NNW of ILOVICE aircraft was seen to crash into side of wood, bursting into flames. Pilot did not get out of aircraft.

Om 9/8/44 Lt L J Leach (SAAF) was flying FB324...1 aircraft was seen to be hit by moderate light flak from area West of PRISTINA. Flash or flame from cockpit seen, probably direct hit. aircraft heeled over, diving vertically into ground from 500 ft. A/c burst into flames on impact.

Schoeman has both pilots kia on these dates.

Steve

[vathra]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

It is strange but that is what is definitely written.

I have had 2 more suggestions:

FB324/213 Sqn, Flak 50 miles NW Pristina 9 Aug 44
FB322/213 Sqn, Flak Hovice, 4 Aug 44

In that case, we should not limit search to Kosovo, and searching through central Serbia would be appropriate.

[Dénes Bernád]

Is there a MACR for Lt. Edward Isackson, P-51D pilot, KIA on 10 Aug. 1944?

[Alex Smart]

MACR 7201,
position given as 25 miles North of Skoplje, Yugoslavia.date August 10th 1944.
Pilots chute was thought to have caught on the Cockpit and he went down with the a/c. MACR is 5 pages and in Fold3.