42-8477

P-47D-5-RE 42-8477 [YF:X], 355FG/358FS was assigned to 355FG/358FS at Steeple Morden, UK. On 7-Nov-43 the aircraft, piloted by CPT Walter H. Kossack, was despatched to provide bomber escort to B-26 bombers from 9th Air Force attacking German airfields at Mondidier and Meulan, France. On the return strong headwinds over 100mph caused the flight to use excessive fuel. His aircraft ran out of fuel and he made a crashlanding near Caen, France and was captured as a POW.



NOTE: Roger Freeman's "The Mighty Eight War Diary" has 355FG as participating in the escort of B-17s attacking at Duren, Germany on this same date on VIII FC FO-172. However, the MACR records and loss locations indicate that all 355FG losses were associated with VIII FC FO-173.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Walter H Kossack

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-660163
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Caen, France 7 November 1943 - 7 November 1943 Ran out of fuel and crash landed in a field near Caen, France while retuning from a mission to escort B-26 bombers of 9th AF to bomb the German airfield at Montdidier, France.

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Jul-2015. Made Connections to Place and Mission, Added Crashed Event and added NOTE of Freeman error of mission association to Description based on MACR 1282. Added Description based on "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop and John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 1282 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database