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2nd Lt. Charles F. Anderson pose next to the nose of his P-47D Thunderbolt 42-74726, 'HELL'S BELLE', in which he claimed a Bf 109 destroyed and a second damaged on 30 January 1944.
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Captain Charles Anderson, who had scored ten aerial victories and 5.5 strafing kills at the time of his death on 19 April 1944.
Charles Anderson was from Gary, Indiana.
He joined the 4th Fighter Group, 335th Fighter Squadron on 11 August 1943. He flew P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs, shooting down a mixed bag of Luftwaffe aircraft. He shot down Me-109s and Fw-190s, plus a Do-217 to make 10 aerial victories, and destroyed five different types of aircraft on the ground for a total of 15.
His P-47 was named "Hell's Belle", and his P-51 was called "Paul". his first victory was scored on 30 January 1944 when, on an abortive bomber escort mission, the group was bounced by the Luftwaffe. Charles was the only one to score and he also damaged a second. On 29 March he destroyed 2 1/2 Fw-190s to become an "Ace". On 12 April he became a "Double-Ace" with the destruction of two Me-109s. Unfortunately Charles' luck ran out, as he was killed in action one week later on a Ramrod mission to Eschwede, shot down by enemy fighter Hoher-Meissner, Germany.
He was awarded the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the French Croix de Guerre.
Service
Units served with
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Squadron
The 335th Fighter Squadron was the offspring of No. 121 (Eagle) Squadron RAF. Formed on 21 May 1941, No. 121 was the second of the three Eagle Squadrons composed of American volunteers flying out of England. They were known as the "Chiefs" and were...
Aircraft
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P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 335FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) on Ramrod to Eschwede, Shot down by enemy fighter Hoher-Meissner, Germany. Pilot Lt Charles Anderson Killed in Action KIA. 19-Apr-44. MACR 4129.
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P-47 Thunderbolt
Assigned to 335FS, 5FG, 8AF USAAF. One time personal aircraft of 2nd Lt Charles F Anderson.
Anderson claimed a Bf 109 destroyed and a second damaged while flying this aircraft on 30 January 1944. Transferred to 509FS 405FG 9AF USAAF.
Associated Place
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Military site : airfield
RAF Debden, construction of which began in 1935, is perhaps most famous as a Battle of Britain fighter airfield, partly responsible for the defence of London in 1940. In 1942 it was also home to three RAF 'Eagle Squadrons’ of volunteer American pilots...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Born |
Crab Orchard, KY 40419, USA |
31 March 1919 |
Lived in |
Gary, Indiana, USA |
1940 |
Assigned |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK |
11 August 1943 – 19 April 1944 |
Assigned to 335FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF.
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Promotion |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK |
22 December 1943 |
Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.
|
Promotion |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK |
April 1944 |
Promoted to Captain.
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Died |
Hoher Meissner, 37235 Hessisch Lichtenau, Germany |
19 April 1944 |
Killed In Action in P-51B Mustang 43-7181.
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Buried |
Lake County, IN, USA |
1945 |
Calumet Park Cemetery
Merrillville
Lake County
Indiana, USA.
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