Due to electrical/mechanical problems, F/O Innocenzi landed P-51 44-14852 "Lottie" behind Soviet lines at Inowroclaw, Poland on 14 February 1945. Later RTD. Later Promoted 2nd Lt.



78th FG, 83rd FS: Taking advantage of the Russian strides, 2nd Lt Peterson, of Dallas, Texas, and F/O Innocenzi headed for Poland when Innocenzi developed generator trouble on an escort mission in February 1945. They took a course of 60 degrees from Chemnitz which would take them to the Russian lines in 25 minutes. Lt Peterson followed instructions to stay with F/O Innocenzi. “We landed at Inowroclaw, Poland,” Lt Peterson said. “Lt. Innocenzi landed all right, but my landing gear collapsed. I wasn’t hurt, and, and pulled out my ‘Russian dog-tag’ (a tag hung around the neck with an American flag on one side and Russian word on the other).



A captain hopped up on my wing and to my surprise asked, ”Do you speak English?” He seemed very friendly and could speak excellent English.” The captain led the pair before a colonel who interrogated them, stating he was sending the information to Moscow. They were billeted in a Polish house and supplied with a good cook. “Most of the Russians knew only a couple of English words, but were eager to learn. Whenever we went out of the field the higher-ranking officers would ask many questions, through an interpreter, about America and about our pilots and planes. They thought their own planes were superior to urs. They were all-out for lend-lease. Much of the equipment I saw was American built, particularly flying equipment and vehicles. I saw several P-39’s and some A-20’s, B-25’s and C-47’s. They think the P-39’s and C-47’s are really tops and don’t care much for the others. They were very much interested in my G-suit. We did not discuss the political situation, but they told me about the Crimea conference, which was then in progress.[…]They think highly of Roosevelt and Churchill.[…]



The Russians wanted F/O Innocenzi to leave his Mustang, which was now repaired, at their field, and come back in the Fort, but the American pilot refused. The plan was for him to escort the bomber on the homeward trip, but just before take-off the Russians cancelled permission for him to return.