Major David C. Schilling, an ace P-47 Thunderbolt pilot of the 56th Fighter Group, holds a heavily modified 1911 pistol. The addition of a forward hand-grip and the fact that three magazines have been welding together, likely providing a 21 round capacity, suggest the pistol was possibly modified for full automatic fire. Schilling was Commanding Officer of the 56th FG between 12 August 1944 and 27 January 1945. Roger Freeman's writing on reverse of print: 'Dave Schilling with repeater revolver'. Another print copy has a handwritten caption on the reverse written by ace Hub Zemke: 'Summer 1942. Then Major David C. Schilling CO 62nd Fighter Squadron, Bradley Field Conn., showing off his modification to an Army Colt 45. David was up to some engineering gadget all the time. In this case an extended clip was built for more ammunition capacity. A handle had to be built to hold the weapon as it sprayed ammunition all over the landscape. Many a barrel was burned out.'

This photo comes from my father, Lt. Billy J. Murray's WW2 scrapbook. In the picture from L to R are Unknown, Col. Ben Rimerman 353rd FG, Col. Dave Schilling 56th FG, unknown woman, and unknown. The photo was taken in one of the booths in the 'Auger Inn' (Officer's Club) at Raydon on the occasion of Major General Earle E. Partridge's inspection visit to the 353rd Fighter Group on 9 February 1945. Left to right facing the camera are: Col. Frederic C. Gray (C.O. of the 78th FG at Duxford until 29 January 1945 so given the date probably representing the 66th Fighter Wing), Col. Ben Rimerman (C.O. 353rd FG), Major General Earle E. Partidge (Commanding General 3rd Air Division), unknown servicewoman (likely General Partidge's assistant) and Brigadier General Norris B. Harbold (Chief of Staff, 3rd Air Division). Dave Schilling is not facing the camera in the photo - if he was noted on this version of the photo, then the only possibility is the unidentified man with his back to the camera. Schilling commanded the 56th FG at nearby Boxted until 27 January 1945.

Major General William Kepner congratulates Major Robert "Bob" Johnson of the 56th Fighter Grouup with Colonel Hubert Zemka and Lieutenant Colonel David Schilling, 1944. Zemke has handwritten on the reverse: 'Halesworth, March 1944. Maj.Gen. William Kepner congratulating Maj. Robert "Bob" Johnson on his record and latest victory. shown lft to rgt: (1) Col. Hub Zemke, CO 56th FG; (2) Bob Johnson, Opns. Off. 61st FS; (3)Gen. Kepner; (4) Lt.Col. Dave Schilling, Flying Ex. 56th FS.'

Major Gerald W Johnson, Colonel Hubert Zemke, Lieutenant Colonel David Schilling and Major Walker M Mahurin of the 56th Fighter Group entertain Foreign Correspondent Lee Carson, in the officers mess at Halesworth. Zemke has handwritten on the reverse: 'Halesworth, 1944. L to R: (1) Maj. Gerald W. Johnson, newly assigned CO of ?? Ftr. Sqn; (2) Col. Hubert Zemke; (3) Susie Carson, Foreign Correspondent; (4) Lt.Col. David Schilling, Flying Ace 56th Fighter Group; (5) Maj. Walter M. Mahurin new assigned CO 63rd Ftr Squadron. Just before the move to Boxted. You know the flies love honey. Also Dave Schilling was in the midst of the act when it came to women being around.'

Major Gerald W Johnson, Colonelt Hubert Zemke, Lieutenant Colonel David Schilling and Major Walker M Mahurin of the 56th Fighter Group entertain Foreign Correspondent Lee Carson, in the officers mess at Halesworth. Zemke has handwritten on the reverse: 'L to R: (1) Johnson; (2) Zemke; (3) Carson - Reporter; (4)Schilling; (5) Mahurin. An individual woman on base caused all sorts of problems. First, we had no billet to keep them. An officer had to move from his bed to provide lodge, and then again they were forever wanting to follow the CO and force their way into briefings. In this case Miss Carson was assigned to Mahurin and told to talk to the troops who did the fighting. Mahurin kept her out of my hair.'

Lieutenant Colonel David C Schilling of the 56th Fighter Group enjoys a drink with a Women's Auxiliary Service Pilot. Handwritten caption on reverse: '23 18g.'

Captain Glenn Miller with First Lieutenant A.L. Mellor, Lieutenant-Colonel David L. Schilling and Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas G. Pollard of the 56th Fighter Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Boxted airbase, left to right: Capt. Glenn Miller; 1st Lieut. A.L. Mellor[sic] - 33rd Special Service Officer; Lt. Col. David L. Schilling, Flying Exec (then) 56th Fighter Group; Lt. Col. Douglas G. Pollard, F.O. 33rd Service Gp that supported the 56th. Later integrated under the 56th Fighter Group.' Second handwritten on reverse: 'Boxted. 8/44. L to R: Cpt. Glenn Miller, 1/Lt. A. Mellor 33rd Special Service Officer, L/C Dave Schilling, FE 56FG, Lt Col. Douglas G. Pollard, CO 33rd Service Gp.'

Major Gerald W Johnson, Colonel Hubert Zemke, Lieutenant Colonel David Schilling, Major Walker M Mahurin and airmen of the 56th Fighter Group entertain Foreign Correspondent Lee Carson, in the officers mess at Halesworth, 1944.

Colonel Hubert Zemke, Lieutenant Colonel David C Schilling and Major Wilbur Watson of the 56th Fighter Group with Under War Secretary Lovett and Major General Frank O D Hunter during a visit to Horsham St Faith. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Tramping the line at Horsham St. Faith, on inspection of the aircraft and facilities. Lt to Rt: 1: Col. Hub Zemke. 2: Mr Lovett - Under-Secretary of War for Air. 3: M-Gen Frank O.D. Hunter, C.Gen. 8th Ftr. Command. 4: Lt.Col. David C. Schilling, 56th Ftr Gp, Flying Exec. 5: Major Wilbur Watson, Ground Exec, 56th Ftr Gp.'

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Schilling of the 56th Fighter Group in the cockpit of a P-51 Mustang. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Schilling - near end of stay in 56th - I know cause we stacked his "crosses" in rows of 7 - note where they had been painted on before.'