43-12375 Bonnie B
USAAF Photo.
P-51B Mustang FT*E 43-12375 "Bonnie B", 353rd FS, 354th FG, 9th AF. While on a fighter sweep in the Reims, France area he took the squadron down to strafe a German airfield. On their second pass his plane took hits in the wing and fuselage, then went into a straight vertical climb, stalled and dove straight down into the ground. Beerbower jetisoned the canopy during these manuevers and managed to get out of the aircraft, only to hit the tail. He never opened his chute. The plane crashed 500 meters south of St. Thierry, France. 9th Aug 44. KIA. MACR 8150.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 354th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-730341
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Headcorn
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
Saint-Thierry, France | 9 August 1944 - 9 August 1944 | While on a fighter sweep in the Reims, France area pilot Capt Don M Beerbower took the squadron down to strafe a German airfield. On their second pass his plane took hits in the wing and fuselage, then went into a straight vertical climb, stalled and dove straight down into the ground. Beerbower jetisoned the canopy during these manuevers and managed to get out of the aircraft, only to hit the tail. He never opened his chute. The plane crashed 500 meters south of St. Thierry, France. 9th Aug 44. KIA. MACR 8150. |
Assigned |
Lashenden, Biddenden, Ashford, Kent TN27, UK | Assigned 353rd FS, 354th FG, 9th AF. |
Revisions
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbmacr.asp?MACR=8150 MACR 8150 bare bones.
http://www.fold3.com/image/28700055/ MACR 8150 Details.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dougsheley/7990150577 Accident Details.
MACR 8150 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database