UPL 15696

VIDEO

Caption from IWM YouTube channel: 'Hayden Richards and Frank Oiler, pilots of the 78th Fighter Group which was based at Duxford from 1943, talk about the dangers faced by pilots on ground-attack missions. In early 1945 the mission for the fighters of the 8th Air Force was still primarily to escort bombers to their targets over Germany. But it was increasingly emphasised that the destruction of the Luftwaffe was of equal importance.'

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A P-51 mustang aircraft of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group - based at Duxford. The aircraft (serial number 44-63209) was named "Sherman Was Right" - originally piloted by First Lieutenant Frank E. Oiler. The phrase referenced remarks made by General William T. Sherman (who had commanded Union forces during the American Civil War) - "There is many a boy here today who thinks war is all glory but, boys, it is all hell." This aircraft was lost on an escort mission on 3rd March 1945, when being
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Squadron 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-700317
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 82nd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-818428
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

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Date:
ContributorLucy May
ChangesCreated entry with caption and person associations
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