We are hoping beyond hope to locate a picture of a certain P-38 that flew 32 missions out of Warmwell England including air cover for the D-day invasion. The number of the plane is 224 and has F5 on the booms and black squares on the tail fins indicating the 428th fighter squadron/474th fighter group. The pilot was shot down over France July 6th and hidden by the Resistance until liberation. The pilot was 1st Lt. James Shaw Frederick, my brother in laws father. My brother in law, Scott, knew nothing of his fathers experience during the war until 3 years ago. An amazing story has unfolded since. We have recovered parts from his fathers P-38 and the FW190 that shot him down from the crash sites in France. Scott now has the very Mae West Jim wore when he was shot down (long interesting story). THE ONLY THING WE LACK IS AN ACTUAL PICTURE OF Jim’s P-38. The number on the nose is 224 and the nose art is “Ho Hum”. (We dont know the relationship but there is another P-38 flown by Lt. Lloyd Wenzel that was also named the “Ho Hum”. We have that picture).
Perhaps somewhere in a Warmwell archive lies a picture or film. ANY HELP IN LOCATING A PICTURE OR VIDEO OF 224 WOULD BE A GOD-SEND.
SINCERELY
Phil
By: Phil Gora - 31st July 2013 at 01:37
Another dead end but thanks to those that did comment.
By: Phil Gora - 21st June 2013 at 15:28
Close … but no cigar:
http://rafwarmwell.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/goodrich_landing.jpg
Still a neat pic Martin. Is that Warmwell? The markings do look like the 428thFS but its a little hard to tell. Number 224 was all silver.
Appreciate it Martin.
By: Phil Gora - 21st June 2013 at 15:12
Hello Phil,
There is a book on the 474th fighter group by Isham G. Keller, titled ” an Enlisted mans observations”.
First published in 1988 so you might be able to source one via the many second hand book search suppliers, you could also try and contact the Dorset County museum who I believe hold records and photographs of Warmwell Airfield and some of the aircraft stationed there between 1937 and 1946.
According to the book there is a 474th comrades association so you may also want to try researching to see if that is still current.Hope the above is useful.
Jason
Thanks so much Jason. You have given me a new avenue to explore. Thats how these things work. I’m all over this one.
By: Phil Gora - 21st June 2013 at 15:09
[QUOTE=Dan Johnson;2037126]
Do you have a copy of “The Geyser Gang”, the history of the 428th by John Stienko?
Do you have a copy of “The Geyser Gang”, the history of the 428th by John Stienko?
The 474th historian, whose Dad was 428th is around too. He sometimes posts on the WIX forum.
Thanks for the reply Dan. We have a copy of “The Geyser Gang”.
The 474th historian’s name is Gary Koch. We know him well. Gary is a wealth of knowledge not only on the 474th but all aircraft. A great guy.
There is another book called “Swat” written by Bob Milliken. Bob is the ace that shot down the FW190 that shot down Jim’s plane. Bob talks to Gary and Scott and still recalls that day vividly. Bob lives in Wyoming.
By: D1566 - 20th June 2013 at 05:19
Close … but no cigar:
http://rafwarmwell.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/goodrich_landing.jpg
By: Dan Johnson - 19th June 2013 at 21:33
Ho Hum
Do you have a copy of “The Geyser Gang”, the history of the 428th by John Stienko?
The 474th historian, whose Dad was 428th is around too. He sometimes posts on the WIX forum.
By: oldgit158 - 19th June 2013 at 19:15
Hello Phil,
There is a book on the 474th fighter group by Isham G. Keller, titled ” an Enlisted mans observations”.
First published in 1988 so you might be able to source one via the many second hand book search suppliers, you could also try and contact the Dorset County museum who I believe hold records and photographs of Warmwell Airfield and some of the aircraft stationed there between 1937 and 1946.
According to the book there is a 474th comrades association so you may also want to try researching to see if that is still current.
Hope the above is useful.
Jason
By: Phil Gora - 17th June 2013 at 14:42
Ho Hum
Sign In
June 10, 2013 at 3:31 pm