42-22490 Beetle
P-47D-2-RA 42-22490 [OS:U] "Beetle" was assigned to the 355FG/358FS at Steeple Morden, UK. On 7-Nov-43 the aircraft, piloted by 2LT William E. Roach, was despatched with others from 355FG to provide escort to b-26 bombers of the 9th Air Force that were attacking German airfields at Montdidier and Meulan, France. On the return his flight ran into headwinds of over 100mph which caused excessive fuel consumption. His aircraft ran out of fuel and he made a forced landing at the German airfield at Caen, France and was taken as a Prisoner of War (POW).
Connections
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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: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-796736
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 7 November 1943
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Forced Landing |
Caen, France | 7 November 1943 | Ran out of fuel and made a forced landing at the German airfield at Caen, France and was captured. |
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 10-Jul-2015. Added Nickname, Markings and Description based on the "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; Added FTR event per MACR 1283.
MACR 1281 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database