44-21230

media-15967.jpeg UPL 15967 I starting researching my father's (Edward Appel) Evasion and Escape journey in January 2015 because I wanted to retrace his steps in April on the same days that he did, April 16 to April 26, 1945. I developed this map to show the places and cities I picked to walk to and state why they were significant. There are various excerpts from military documents and letters that I found in my fathers things attached to it. Edward Appel collection

Juliann Pendolino, Daughter of Edward Appel

Object Number - UPL 15967 - I starting researching my father's (Edward Appel) Evasion and Escape journey in January 2015 because I wanted to retrace his steps in April on the...

Republic P-47M-1-RE, serial number 44-21230, coded LM-A for the 62nd Fighter Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group.

This plane was piloted by Captain Edward Appel on April 16, 1945, when it crashed near Zangberg, Germany on a mission of strafing the Mühldorf Aerodrome near Munich. Edward escaped and evaded the enemy for 10 days, traveling about 100 miles on foot northwest to the Allied lines in Tagmersheim, Germany.

Connections

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Units served with

56th Fighter Group

Unit Hierarchy: Group
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Fighter

62nd Fighter Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Fighter

People

Edward Walter Appel

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 389th Bomb Group 445th Bomb Group 56th Fighter Group 62nd Fighter Squadron Headquarters (93rd Bomb Group)
Service Numbers: 19018109 / O-745854
Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Role/Job: Co-Pilot, Bomber Pilot, Fighter Pilot

Donald Charles Armstrong

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 56th Fighter Group 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron 62nd Fighter Squadron
Service Numbers: 17112016 / O-706331
Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Lawson Dorwin Whitlow

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
Highest Rank: Corporal (5th Grade)
Role/Job: Radio and Service Technician

Events

Event	Location	Date	Description
Other Failed to Return (FTR)	Zangberg, Germany	16 April 1945 - 26 April 1945	Edward was shooting into ME-109s on the field at Muhldorf Airdrome, about 50 miles east of Munich. He then saw he was getting hit and the engine started running rough and losing power. He tried to get out of range and over a hill but in straining to clear the hill, his right wing stalled and went under. The plane cartwheeled across the countryside and stopped right side up. Edward was cut on one knee and arm, but manage to climb out and evade the enemy for 10 days on foot. He "surrendered" to the US Army near Tagmersheim, about 100 miles NE of his crash site.

Event

Location

Date

Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Zangberg, Germany

16 April 1945 - 26 April 1945

Edward was shooting into ME-109s on the field at Muhldorf Airdrome, about 50 miles east of Munich. He then saw he was getting hit and the engine started running rough and losing power. He tried to get out of range and over a hill but in straining to clear the hill, his right wing stalled and went under. The plane cartwheeled across the countryside and stopped right side up. Edward was cut on one knee and arm, but manage to climb out and evade the enemy for 10 days on foot. He "surrendered" to the US Army near Tagmersheim, about 100 miles NE of his crash site.