8th Air Force
Eighth Air Force Bomber Command became the Eighth Air Force on February 1944, it oversaw bombardment of strategic targets in Europe until 1945.
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44-13372
P-51 Mustang
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The wreck of a P-51D Mustang (QP-B, 44-13372) of the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, flown by of Lieutenant-Colonel James Clark after crash landing during a test flight by Lieutenant Willard G. Gillette. Official caption on image: "(33SGA168-1)(11-8-44) Crash - P-51D - #44-13372." Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Aug. 11, '44. L/Col James Clark's 334 P-51D, crashed on test flt by Lt. Gillette. QP-B, 44-13372. Note small kills by canopy. Source - Woody Jensen.'
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The shattered remains of P-51D Mustang Serial No. 44-13372 after it suffered a structural failure during a test flight on 10 August 1944.
One-time personal aircraft of Lt Col James A. Clark and 1st Lt Willard G. Gillette.
On 10 August 1944, this aircraft crashed after it suffered a structural failure in a dive during a test flight from Debden, with 1st Lt Willard Gillette at the controls. It lost its ammunition tray covers, then went out of control when its tail snapped off. Gillette baled out and landed on the cricket field in Haverhill Castle Camp.
Service
Units
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4th Fighter Group
Group
Some of the pilots of the 4th Fighter Group had seen many hours of combat by the time they joined the 4th Fighter Group as they had volunteered with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. The three 'Eagle Squadrons' of RAF Fighter... -
334th Fighter Squadron
Squadron
The 334th Fighter Squadron was the successor to No. 71 Eagle squadron of the Royal Air Force when the 4th Fighter Group was activated on 12 September 1942. They were based at Debden Field, Essex. The "Fighting Eagles" as they were called, flew...
People
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James Clark
Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Pilot; Deputy Commanding Officer
Initially assigned to the 71st Eagle Squadron in June 1942. With the founding of the 4th Fighter Group that September, he was assigned to the 334th Squadron, where he eventually became its Commanding Officer. ... -
Willard Gillette
Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Fighter Pilot
Lt. Willard G "GI" Gillette was a colourful pilot who survived a mid-air collision, taxi accidents, and the loss of his P-51's tail section in a dive. He also lost a wingman to enemy action, prior to completing his tour of duty on 25 October 1944. ... -
Willard Wahl
Military | Chief Master Sergeant | Crew Chief-750
Crew chief 334th FS 4th FG 1943-45 Served in Korean and Vietnam
Places
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Debden
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 |
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| Crashed | 10 August 1944 | |
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See biography. |
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Revisions
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 07 March 2016 15:31:23 | Al_Skiff | Changes to markings and unit associations |
| Sources | ||
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/search.php?searchString=44-13372&Submit=S... |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 18 June 2015 02:03:32 | santini99 | Changes to production block number |
| Sources | ||
Updated production block no. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 26 April 2015 16:09:28 | apollo11 | Changes to description and events |
| Sources | ||
Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholtz. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 26 April 2015 16:02:03 | apollo11 | Created entry with serial number, aircraft type, production block number, manufacturer, markings, description, unit associations, person associations and place associations |
| Sources | ||
Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholtz. |
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