Frank Joseph Smolinsky
MilitaryPersonal research & 'The Debden Warbirds' by Frank Speer.
Joined RAFVR, service pilot training in US, shipped overseas to ETO, operational training at OTU, assigned to 121S, transferred to 335th FS, 4th FG 8AF USAAF
Killed in a non-operational flight in P47 41-6181. He developed engine trouble and attempted to crash land near Sawbridgeworth airfield when the a/c spun into the ground and exploded.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: British
- Unit: No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: 109187
- Highest Rank: Squadron Leader
- Role/Job: Fighter Controller
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Stinky
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Buffalo, NY, USA | 1 March 1919 | Born - 1 March 1919 Buffalo, New York. |
Other Transferred |
Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK | 15 September 1942 - 3 April 1943 | Transferred to 335th FS, 4th FG 8AF USAAF. |
Died |
Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, UK | 3 April 1943 | Developed engine trouble while on local flight. Crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Sawbridgeworth when engine cut out completely at 150’ and he went straight in. KIA. |
Buried |
Long Island National Cemetery, 2040 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY 11735, USA | Long Island National Cemetery East Farmingdale, Suffolk County New York, USA. | |
Other Joined RAFVR |
Canada | Joined Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. | |
Other Service pilot training |
Tulsa, OK, USA | Service pilot training in US. | |
Other Shipped overseas |
Merseyside, UK | Shipped overseas to ETO. | |
Other Operational training |
Great Britain, United Kingdom | Operational training at OTU. Conversion to Hurricane and Spitfires. | |
Other Assigned |
Kirton in Lindsey, Gainsborough, North Lincolnshire DN21, UK | 15 September 1942 | Assigned to 121 [Eagle] Sqn RAF. |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th and 9th AFs Vol. 1 by Bishop and Hey p. 98 includes a picture