MIflyer
1st Lieutenant
There have been a few noteworthy examples of pilots landing in enemy territory to pick up downed airmen. Maj Bernie Fisher got the MOH for landing on the AShau airstrip to pick up that other A-1 pilot. In his book "Full Circle" J.E. Johnson related a story where a USAAF P-51 landed due to damage and then another of his unit landed to pick him up, only to have the wheels sink into the dirt so deeply that they could not take off. Another P-51 pilot was preparing to land also but could not get the attention of the two downed pilots (THREE in a Mustang???).
In the book "Coffin Corner" it is described how the pilot of a B-17, George Starks, bailed out in March 1944 and landed in occupied France. A P-47 came by with its gear and flaps down, clearly looking for a place to land. But it was a hilly area with no suitable landing areas and so the P-47 pilot waved goodby to him and left.
I do not recall reading of any other cases where a pilot was downed and a pilot from another unit tried to pick him up. Other crewmen from the same bomber reported P-47's and P-51's buzzing around down low, clearly looking for them after they bailed out.
In the book "Coffin Corner" it is described how the pilot of a B-17, George Starks, bailed out in March 1944 and landed in occupied France. A P-47 came by with its gear and flaps down, clearly looking for a place to land. But it was a hilly area with no suitable landing areas and so the P-47 pilot waved goodby to him and left.
I do not recall reading of any other cases where a pilot was downed and a pilot from another unit tried to pick him up. Other crewmen from the same bomber reported P-47's and P-51's buzzing around down low, clearly looking for them after they bailed out.
