Robert James Messenger

Military
media-18851.jpeg UPL 18851 Lt Robert J Messenger aboard Spitfire 'E.L' coded MD-K? 336th FS, 4th FG 8AF USAAF. This must be a transition photo close to the date of transfer from RAF to USAAF as the A/C is wearing 133 Sqn RAF codes.

http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org

Object Number - UPL 18851 - Lt Robert J Messenger aboard Spitfire 'E.L' coded MD-K? 336th FS, 4th FG 8AF USAAF. This must be a transition photo close to the date of transfer...

Assigned to 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Crashed for unknown reasons possible West of Gardelegen on an escort to Berlin on 6-Mar-44 in P-51 43-6630. Prisoner of War (POW). MACR 3042



Went down 50 miles south of Berlin after an engagement with enemy aircraft; not seen to go down. Was heard faintly over the R/T calmly stating “I’m going to have to bail out.”



Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), POW, WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Aircraft

41-6184

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Old Rocking Chair / Well? / E.L.
  • Unit: 368th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 396th Fighter Squadron

42-75392

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Spunky
  • Unit: 362nd Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 377th Fighter Squadron

43-6630

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron

BL582

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron

Places

Dulag Luft 12

  • Site type: Prisoner of war camp
  • Known as: Dulag Luft Grosstychow Dulag 12
Prisoners of war, including Colonel Hubert Zemke of the 479th Fighter Group at Stalag Luft I.

Stalag Luft I

  • Site type: Prisoner of war camp
  • Known as: Stalag Luft I, Barth, Germany

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

25 July 1918 Son of Elizabeth Messenger.

Based

9 October 1942 - 6 March 1944 Assigned to 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

6 March 1944 Prisoner of War (POW). Stalag Luft I.

Died

19 August 1994

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Removed extra info in the "Role/job" field.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/546296875
https://www.fold3.com/record/20138705/robert-messenger-social-security-…
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/336_m…

Date
ContributorWD-C Mustang
Changes
Sources

Added nickname 'Bob' based on "1000 Destroyed" by Grover Hall

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entries to include details from:
- Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list;

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM DB Entry.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3042 / MACR 3042, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list

Robert James Messenger: Gallery (5 items)

Object number: UPL 13929 - Lieutenant Winslow "Mike" Sobanski (standing in...

Object number: UPL 18851 - Lt Robert J Messenger aboard Spitfire 'E.L' coded...

Object number: UPL 18909 - Lt Robert J Messenger 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF.

Object number: UPL 18951 - 336th Fighter Squadron ready room, Debden. Bishop...

Object number: UPL 26201 - A group of 4th Fighter Gropu pilots relaxing...