Crashed near Soertern on 26 Aug 44 in P-51 #44-14014, Prisoner of War (POW).



1/Lt. John R. Eskridge from Oklahoma, member of 55 FG (338 FS), got into trouble when flying over Ludwigshafen, and his plane started smoking, most probably due to engine failure. On his way back to base in England he jettisoned his extra tanks, however, lost more and more altitude, while his engine was getting hotter and hotter.



Eskridge bailed out over Sötern and landed safely in a plum tree near the railway line Saarbrücken - Türkismühle. His Mustang crashed into the railway line above the old mill.



Eskridge was captured by local inhabitants from Sötern, one of whom gave him a slap in the face.