42-75112

media-15327.jpeg UPL 15327 During the 30 January 1944 mission to Gilze-Rijen airfield, 2nd Lt. William Rowles' P-47D Thunderbolt was badly damaged by cannon fire from a Bf 109. Rowles had missed squadron-mate 1st Lt. Kendall Carlson's call to break after the German fighter had bee spotted closing on his tail. Fortunately for Rowles, 1st Lt. Paul Ellington reacted quickly and shot the Messerschmitt off his tail, but not before 42-75112 had been holed in its fuselage, tail, flaps and canopy.

Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholtz.

Object Number - UPL 15327 - During the 30 January 1944 mission to Gilze-Rijen airfield, 2nd Lt. William Rowles' P-47D Thunderbolt was badly damaged by cannon fire from a Bf 109....

Assigned to 335FS 26/1/44 until transferred out 22/6/44. During a Ramrod to Marienburg, it was badly damaged by cannon fire from a Bf109 and transferred out of the Group as a result. Rejoined Squadron 13/5/45 until 1/6/45 then returned to USA.

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Units served with

People

Airmen of the 4th Fighter Group ride in the back of a jeep at Debden air base. A P-47 Thunderbolt is in the background of the shot. Passed by the U.S. Army on 2 October 1943,

Leighton Maddux Read

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 6th Fighter Wing 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885470
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot

William P Rowles

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 335th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-810572
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Combat damage

20 February 1944 Knocked out of formation by canon shells and returned to base at the start of 'Big Week', 20-Feb-44.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

http://wpalette.com/planes/1373

Date
Contributorapollo11
Changes
Sources

Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholtz.

Date
Contributorapollo11
Changes
Sources

Personal research & 'The Debden Eagles' by Garry L. Fry.

42-75112: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 15327 - During the 30 January 1944 mission to Gilze-Rijen...