42-8631

P-47D-5-RE 42-8631 [YF:U] was assigned to the 355FG/358FS at Steeple Morden,UK. On 29-Nov-43 the aircraft, piloted by 1LT Charles K. Hecht, Jr., was despatched with other P-47s of 355FG to provide penetration support to bombers attacking at Bremen, Germany. When the flight reached Holland it was attacked by German fighters. The aircraft sustained battle damage in the attack and 1LT Hecht was forced to crash land the aircraft near Vreeland, Holland and he was captured as a Prisoner of War (POW). 1POW MACR 1284.

Connections

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Units served with

People

Charles K Hecht

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-795955
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

3633 Vreeland, Netherlands 29 November 1943 Shot down by German fighters and crashed at Vreeland, Holland on a mission to escort bombers attacking at Bremen, Germany.

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 19-Jul-2015. Added Radio Call Letters and Description based on "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE; Made connections to Place and Mission within existing website data; Added FTR event per MACR 1284.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 1284 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database