42-68035
P-38J Serial # 42-68035 of 20th Fighter Group / 79th Fighter Squadron. Piloted by 1st Lt Ferdinand E. Le Fevre (also spelled Lefevre) on the 28 April 1944 mission to strafe-bomb the Tours airfield. Just after dropping its bombs, Lt Le Fevre's Lightning was seen to be hit by Flak. The left belly tank exploded and burned. Lt Le Fevre was seen to pull up into a semi-snap roll, then to fall off, starting to spin. Its left engine smoking badly, the P-38 had lost about 6,000ft but was seen pulling out and recovering from the spin. The smoke had diminished to a thin streak and the plane seemed under control when last seen, heading northeast (of Tours).
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 20th Fighter Group 79th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16082160 / O-746131
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Kingscliffe, Apethorpe
Missions
- Date: 28 April 1944
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Rochecorbon, France | 28 April 1944 | Shot down by Flak over the target. Crashed in Rochecorbon, a few km East of Tours. Pilot 1st Lt Ferdinand E. Le Fevre killed. |
Revisions
MACR 4416 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database