Gilbert Graham Wright

Military

Joined RAFVR, assigned to 133S, transferred to 336th FS, 4th FG, 8AF USAAF. The aircraft he was flying, Spitfire IX BS138 ran out of fuel and crashed near Plouguin, 20km NW of Brest, France while escorting American bombers attacking the German airfield of Porjeau at Morlaix, France on 26 September 1942. Initially evaded with the help of French and Belgians who sheltered, fed, clothed and transported him for seven months before his capture at the beginning of April 1943 through a French collaborator working for the Germans. Prisoner of War (POW), interned at Stalag Luft 3, Sagan.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron

Missions

Places

Line up of P-47 Thunderbolts of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, at Duxford air base. September 1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '55432 AC - War Birds Home To Rest - Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up on an 8th Air Force field in England after a daylight sweep over Germany. Crews have finished inspections and refueling.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: "Duckpond"

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

3 August 1919 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Other

Transferred

Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK 14 September 1942 - 26 September 1942 Transferred to 336th FS, 4th FG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Baled out

Morlaix, France 26 September 1942 Baled out when the aircraft he was flying, Spitfire IX BS138 ran out of fuel and crashed near Morlaix, France while escorting American bombers attacking the German airfield of Porjeau at Morlaix, France.

Other

Evaded capture (EVD)

26 September 1942 With the help of French and Belgians who sheltered, fed, clothed and transported him for seven months before his capture through a French collaborator working for the Germans

Died

Niceville, FL 13 August 1995 Niceville, Florida

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Zagan, Poland 2 July 1945 Prisoner of War (POW). Stalag Luft III.

Other

Joined RAFVR

Canada Joined Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Other

Assigned

Biggin Hill, London SE19 3HY, UK 14 September 1942 Assigned to 133 [Eagle] Sqn RAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Belgian and French Comet network archives
Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File
Personal research for Gilbert Wright's page at https://www.evasioncomete.be

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 16-Nov-2014. Added POW event. National Archives Records Administration (NARA) WWII POW database.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 22-Oct-2014 Connections within site data.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 22-Oct-2014. National Archives Records Administration (NARA) POW database.