43-6985

Two USAAF P-51 Mustangs (serial numbers 43-6798 and 43-6985) and a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Grumman Avenger at a US assembly depot field in England. Passed for publication 18 Feb 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '36798, 5/3|4/44. 36895, 2/3/44.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Air Cover For Second Front Pours Into England. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Seen side by side on a US assembly depot field "somewhere in England" are two P-51s of the USAAF (in foreground) and a US-built Gruman[sic] Avenger for media-457999.jpg FRE 10241 Two USAAF P-51 Mustangs (serial numbers 43-6798 and 43-6985) and a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Grumman Avenger at a US assembly depot field in England. Passed for publication 18 Feb 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '36798, 5/3|4/44. 36895, 2/3/44.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Air Cover For Second Front Pours Into England. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Seen side by side on a US assembly depot field "somewhere in England" are two P-51s of the USAAF (in foreground) and a US-built Gruman[sic] Avenger for the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (in background). IRV 264973. 17-2-44-Y.' Censor no: 305878. On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 10241 - Two USAAF P-51 Mustangs (serial numbers 43-6798 and 43-6985) and a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Grumman Avenger at a US assembly depot field in England....

Assigned to 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. 1st Lt George Villinger was the first 4th Fighter Group pilot to be killed in action flying a Mustang - this aircraft, on 2 March 1944. He was shot down by Fw190's near the German town of Linburg during a Target Withdrawal Support mission to Frankfurt.

Connections

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Units served with

People

George Kooker Villinger

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 335th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20224480 / T-190631 / O-2044899
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

John E Wilson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 336th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

Limburg, Germany 2 March 1944 - 2 March 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) target withdrawal support mission. Shot down 10 miles south of Limburg, Germany. Pilot 1st Lt George Villinger KIA. MACR 2790.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/search.php?searchString=6985
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbmsn.asp?SN=43-6985
https://www.fold3.com/image/28740389

Date
Contributorapollo11
Changes
Sources

Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholtz.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 2790 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

43-6985: Gallery (1 items)

Two USAAF P-51 Mustangs (serial numbers 43-6798 and 43-6985) and a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Grumman Avenger at a US assembly depot field in England. Passed for publication 18 Feb 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '36798, 5/3|4/44. 36895, 2/3/44.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Air Cover For Second Front Pours Into England. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Seen side by side on a US assembly depot field "somewhere in England" are two P-51s of the USAAF (in foreground) and a US-built Gruman[sic] Avenger for

Object number: FRE 10241 - Two USAAF P-51 Mustangs (serial numbers 43-6798...