42-8370 Alabama Bound

A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-8370), formerly of the 355th Fighter Group, captured by the Germans and used as a test aircraft by the Luftwaffe. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'T9+FK.' media-456528.jpg FRE 9412 A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-8370), formerly of the 355th Fighter Group, captured by the Germans and used as a test aircraft by the Luftwaffe. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'T9+FK.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 9412 - A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-8370), formerly of the 355th Fighter Group, captured by the Germans and used as a test aircraft by the...

P-47D-2-RE 42-8370 [OS:L] "Alabama Bound" was assigned to the 355FG/357FS at Steeple Morden, UK. On 7-Nov-43 the aircraft, piloted by 1LT James E. Westfall, was despatched with others of 355FG to provide escort for B-26 formations of 9th Air Force attacking German airfields at Montdidier and Meulan, France. On the return his flight encountered thick cloud formations over France. The flight entered the coulds and his aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with P-47 42-7984 and crashed near Montdidier, France. He baled out but struck the tailplane and broke both legs. He was captured as a Prisoner of War (POW) 1POW MACR 1448.

Connections

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Units served with

People

James E Westphall

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-793571
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

80500 Montdidier, France 7 November 1943 Sustained a mid-air collision in the clouds with P-47 42-7984. Pilot baled out. Aircraft crashed near Montdider, France

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Jul-2015. Corrections and Mission association based on MACR 1448.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Jul-2015. Added Nickname, Markings and Description based on "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; Added FTR note per MACR 1448.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 1448 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-8370: Gallery (1 items)

A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-8370), formerly of the 355th Fighter Group, captured by the Germans and used as a test aircraft by the Luftwaffe. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'T9+FK.'

Object number: FRE 9412 - A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-8370)...