William Lafayette Smith
MilitaryPhoto from NARA Captured German Records : 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. 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, France, he was helped, fed, clothed, sheltered and transported by French citizens and members of the Résistance. He travelled to the South of France via Paris and Toulouse, crossing into Spain over the Pyrénées mountains. Arriving in Spain on 10 April 1944, he was led to the British Embassy in Barcelona and from there to Madrid. He reached Gibraltar on 29 April and returned from there to England by air on 1 May 1944, landing the next day in the UK. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 3268. Escape & Evasion Report E&E 614.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 366th Fighter Group 390th Fighter Squadron
Missions
- Date: 17 March 1944
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
7 February 1916 | Atlanta, Georgia | |
Enlisted |
4 March 1941 | Camp Blanding, Florida | |
Other Belly-landed |
17 March 1944 | with his P-47 #42-76337 ±2km North of Livarot, 12km SW of Lisieux, Calvados Department, France | |
Other Evaded capture (EVD) |
17 March 1944 - 2 May 1944 | with the help of French citizens and members of the Résistance who fed, clothed, sheltered, transported him from Lisieux to Paris, then Figeac, Toulouse, he crossed the Pyrénées mountains into Spain. Arrived back in England on 2 May 1944. | |
Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida |
Revisions
NARA WWII Enlistment Records
WWII Draft Card
MACR 3268
NARA Captured German Records : J-703 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/131494559
Escape & Evasion Report E&E Report 614