No, it was three Groups that shared codes. 1stFG codes used by 56thFG, 31stFG used by 78thFG and 52ndFG used by 4thFG. George Loving’s 42-106538 WZ-D was issued to the 31stFG on 22 March 1944 and was lost on 29 May 1944 with Thomas Howell, 309th FS, 31st FG becoming a POW. There really is no excuse for such shoddy research in a publication aimed at enthusiasts. I wouldn’t mind so much if the black/white check noses of the 78th weren’t well known.

I could also mention the completely wrong entry for Mount Farm, home to the 7th PRG and not the 13th, the incorrect codes given for two squadrons in 364th FG, the ridiculous statement that the 370th FS/359thFG used CR codes for P-47s and CS codes for P-51s, when the code change was competed by 26th March and they did not fly their first P-51 mission until 6 May. I could go on but will leave it to others more expert than I in respect of the other units although even I take issue over the photo of a 67th PRG F-6B at Middle Wallop when it is almost certainly with the 10th PRG at St. Dizier, France.

When one thinks that this will possibly become a work of reference in some quarters, it is a slur on the memory of the men who servend in the units so poorly represented.

..if its of any interest, Ken Wells lives in the village, his details were posted up in the local shop last time I was there. I went and knocked on his front door hoping to get a copy of “..Strafers” – none left..

If you don’t mind me asking, how long since you knocked on Ken’s door. Only curious because the last I heard from him, it was to give me his new address in Norwich. Wouldn’t want any one to make a longish drive for no result. :confused:

Peter

Help with P-51 photo

Gentlemen,

I stumbled across this thread on Saturday morning and have been waiting since then for the moderator to accept my registration so that I could provide you with what I believe to be the answer.

The crux of the problem is that the photo caption in Danny Morris’ first “Aces and Wingmen” is incorrect and that is why you are going round in circles. I don’t know where Danny got the information from but I will try to remember to ask him next time I speak to him. The error is no fault of Danny’s, as the information available to him when the book was published in 1972, hardly compares with the current level of knowledge. He was of course also dependent upon the accuracy of his sources.

Although I would not like to comment too much on the identification of the officer in shot (highly suspect), I can say with a fair degree of certainty that the P-51 is Maj. Billy Hovde’s “Ole IV” 44-14541 YF-I. Naturally, the code appears as I-YF on the starboard side, and the crumpled skinning could well lead one to suspect that the letter is “L”. The event happened on 16 January 1945 when Maj. Hovde spun-in during a dead-stick landing, being out of gas. (per Bill Marshall, 355th FG) It also happened in France, not Manston or Steeple Morden. (per Ted Damick database compiler for Accident Report.com) It is this location that makes me highly dubious about the officer being a Lt.Col. Moody, unless of course he took the opportunity to pop over to France to bring Billy back to Steeple Morden. Again highly dubious as there was no pilot of that name in the 355th FG. Alternatively, he could well be with 8th Air Force Service Command, as seen on the fuselage, for although I do not have detailed information on that unit, I do know that it had a detachment in Brussels towards the end of the war.

Hope that this helps with your obsession Quid 41.

Peter Randall

BTW Warbert, many thanks for your confidence but these “guys” happens to be just me, a one man band! My son Stewart only handles the programming aspect. Input is from me plus all of you kind people who provide me with the information and illustrations.