42-76337
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/media/media-41846.png)
Photo from NARA Captured German Records : J-703 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/131494559
Object Number - UPL 41846 - Crash photo from German Captured Records (NARA) : J-703 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/131494559
Michael Smith was piloting P-47 #42-76337 on an escort mission of B-26s to Creil, France on 17 March 1944. He managed to evade being shot down by two Focke-Wulfe 190s, but had to try to land due to sudden oil leak and his engine going dead. After belly-landing ±2km North of Livarot, 12km SW of Lisieux, he was helped, fed, clothed, sheltered and transported by French citizens and members of the Résistance. He was back in England on 2 May 1944. Missing Air Crew Report MACR 3268. Escape & Evasion Report E&E 614.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
![A P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Magic Carpet" of the 366th Fighter Group, in the snow.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-395955.jpg?itok=3LrobiZk)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
![A P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Magic Carpet" of the 366th Fighter Group, in the snow.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-395955.jpg?itok=3LrobiZk)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
![](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/media/media-41846.png?itok=J_txGIWg)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Unit: 366th Fighter Group 390th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34024766 at enlistment, then O-803479
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
![Aerial photograph of Thruxton airfield looking south, a T2 hangar is at the top of the airfield, 25 September 1945. Photograph taken by No. 544 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/839. English Heritage (RAF Photography).](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/eh/eh-482.jpg?itok=zS1tRj52)
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 17 March 1944
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
France | 17 March 1944 | Pilot Michael Smith managed to evade being shot down by two Focke-Wulfes, but due to oil leak and his dead engine, he had to belly-land his P-47 #42-76337 ±2km North of Livarot, 12km SW of Lisieux, Calvados Department, France |
Revisions
MACR 3268
NARA Captured German Records : J-703 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/131494559
Escape & Evasion Report E&E 614.
MACR 3268 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database