FRE 2981
IMAGELieutenant-Colonel John D. Landers, of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group in the cockpit of his P-51 Mustang (WZ-I, serial number 44-72258) nicknamed "Big Beautiful Doll" before a mission over the Rhine, 24 March 1945. Printed caption on reverse: '56813 A.C. - Lt. Col. John D. Landers, 24-year-old ace from Joshua, Texas, settles into the cokpit of his North American P-51 Mustang before taking off to lead the 78th Fighter Group over the Rhine, Saturday, 24 March 1945, to sweep the area, looking for German planes and strafing Nazi transportation. The Rhine crossing area was completely isolated from the rest of Germany as the 78th Group and other 8th AF units blasted every military vehicle and train that moved for miles ahead of the advancing Allied forces. Please credit: "Official U.S. Air Force Photo."'
Connections
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Units
- 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: 357th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-431968
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Big Beautiful Doll
- Unit: 357th Fighter Group 78th Fighter Group