Mark Twain Wilson Jr

Military

Mark Wilson was a P-51 Pilot in the 78th Fighter Group / 84th Fighter Squadron. Having 55 missions to his credit, on return from the 25 February 1945 bomber escort mission to Nuremberg, Germany, low on fuel, he decided to crash-land his plane, P-51 # 44-15740. Landed 1,5km South-east of Siegerswoude in the Friesland Province of The Netherlands. His wingman, 1st Lt Charles S. Oldfield had to do the same and they both evaded with the help of Dutch citizens and underground members from the region of Hoornsterwaag (Andries Breitsma, Tetje Breitsma), Hemrik, Garijp (Jan Minkes, Tjalling E. Nijboer, Anne de Vries, Piet Dijkstra, Geu Luik and others.) Wilson and Oldfield were liberated on 14 April 1945 when they were taken to rejoin troops of the Royal Canadian Dragoons at Olderkoop, 5km SW of Hoornsterzwaag. Escape & Evasion Report E&E 2959.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Lt. Charles Sheldon Oldfield of the 78th Fighter Group, 84th Fighter Squadron, dressed in flying kit,  in front of a P-51 Mustang at Duxford.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20415845 / O-806893 / 13901A
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 25 February 1945

Places

Line up of P-47 Thunderbolts of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, at Duxford air base. September 1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '55432 AC - War Birds Home To Rest - Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up on an 8th Air Force field in England after a daylight sweep over Germany. Crews have finished inspections and refueling.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: "Duckpond"

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

28 September 1918

Enlisted

13 June 1942 as a Private in the Air Corps

Other

Evaded

25 February 1945 - 14 April 1945 Short on fuel, had to force-land his P-51 near Siegerswoude, Friesland, The Netherlands. Evaded with the help of Dutch citizens until liberation by Canadian troops on 14 April 1945 in Oldeberkoop, Friesland.

Died

7 August 1983

Born

Buried

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Removed dup info in the "Role/job" field.

Date
Contributorfbreitsma
Changes
Sources

Adding relative names that were not captured in the official reports, but referred to as 'unnamed farmer' with 21 year old daughter, 16 year old son and 7 year old twin girls.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
MACR 12704
Escape & Evasion Report E&E 2959
SSDI

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 12704 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list