PL962
Object Number - UPL 14149 - 1st Lt James F Tostevin.
Supermarine Spitfire PL962 PR Mk XI.
Delivered to No 9 MU 24-9-44, assigned to 14th PRS, 7th PRG, 8th AF USAAF 3-10-44.
Crashed Lille, France. 15th Jan 45, pilot James F Tostevin, MACR 11851.
On the 15th January 1945 Tostevin took off from Mount Farm in Spitfire XI PL962 on a Photo-Recon mission to Berlin and Misburg. He reached the target area and took his photos and was on the return leg of his journey when he began to run short of fuel. He radioed his Mustang escort to tell them that he was going to attempt a landing on the Continent and was looking for a landing area near Lille, France. The escort returned to the UK and assumed that 1/Lt. Tostevin had landed in France, and would return to Mount Farm when he had refuelled. There are no known records to indicate what happened and it is assumed that he crashed somewhere near Abbeville.
Picture of A/C:
http://www.ww2color.com/nennius/webapps/slides/slides.php?action=update…
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
![Photographic officers of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group look through camera lenses infront of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Esten Illustrated.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 8 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '273528.' [Censor no.]. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380976.jpg.webp?itok=b-IRYuYJ)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Reconnaissance
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Delivered |
Royal Air Force Museum, Lyssander Ave, Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 8UP, UK | 24 September 1944 | Delivered to No 9 MU 24-9-44. |
|
Assigned |
Mount Farm Cottage, Dorchester, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 7PG, UK | 3 October 1944 | Assigned to 14th PRS, 7th PRG, 8th AF USAAF 3-10-44. |
|
Crashed |
Abbeville, France | 15 January 1945 | Crashed Lille, France. 15th Jan 45, pilot James F Tostevin, MACR 11851. On the 15th January 1945 Tostevin took off from Mount Farm in Spitfire XI PL962 on a Photo-Recon mission to Berlin and Misburg. He reached the target area and took his photos and was on the return leg of his journey when he began to run short of fuel. He radioed his Mustang escort to tell them that he was going to attempt a landing on the Continent and was looking for a landing area near Lille, France. The escort returned to the UK and assumed that 1/Lt. Tostevin had landed in France, and would return to Mount Farm when he had refuelled. There are no known records to indicate what happened and it is assumed that he crashed somewhere near Abbeville. |
Revisions
MACR 11851 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database