Jerry Johnson's P-38

[Tex_Hill]

Hi all!!

I recently read about USAF Ace Gerald R. Johnson , http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/URG/grjohnson.html , and was wondering if anyone had a picture of his aircraft with the RAAF kill mark painted on it.

Thanks,


Tex

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Um I seriously doubt they put painted and Australian flag on the side of aircraft. It was an accidental shoot down.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Get the Book "Peter 38." There are several photos of his aircraft. I don't have a scanner at my home or else I would scan them for you

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

And there is no Australian flag painted as a kill is there? I highly doubt it.

 

[Tex_Hill]

From the History Channel forum where I initially found out about this incident:


As for the incident with Johnson, he painted the "kill" on his aircraft immediately after the incident was confirmed. To quote Geoffery Pentland, RAAF Colours and Markings 1939-45. Vol 1 (page 70):

"It is a matter of historical fact that the pilot responsible for this act, a well known ace from an even better known US fighter group, later sported an Australian flag in the middle of his victory scoreboard, until its removal was ordered to help in defusing a near-riot situation which had developed between certain Australian and American air units at this time."

At the time RAAF aircraft were "loitering" near Johnson's airfield and death threats against him, and his squadron as a whole, were being made.

Whatever his reason for displaying the Aussie flag on his scoreboard (it may have been a sort of reminder of his mistake, as Mertox suggests), his arrogant refusal to remove it led to a very nasty situation.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Wow what an asshole!

 

[Gnomey]

Wow what an asshole!

Agreed. Why would you want to display an allies flag for a kill, you are not meant to be proud of shooting down allies.

 

[Tex_Hill]

I don't think he did it out of spite, and I'm sure he wouldn't have done it if the pilot had been killed. He probably had it painted on to poke fun at himself.

Haven't you ever said or done something to a friend in jest, and them not get it and even take offense? You then feel about 3 inches high? (I know I have)


The fact is he was a brave man and gave his life so others could live (read the short bio I initially posted). Sure he mad a mistake once, but don't we all.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I think I would have used eneogh common sense not to do that. I know he was a great pilot, but he was an asshole in my eyes now.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

In the book Peter 38 it was stated he bought the guy a case of scotch. It seems he felt bad for his actions and believe he did remove the flag later in the war...

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I sure hope he removed the flag. I would have let the guy kick my ass.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

The book (Peter 38 ) also mentions that any time Aussies came around Johnson would disappear, obviously embarrassed by his actions...

PS - notice I separated the "8" and the ")". If not I would of gotten a 8) !!!

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I may have overreacted with me calling him an ass hole, mistakes hapen and so does fratricide. Unfortunatly we the US have a habit of doing it quite a bit.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

There are 2 photos in the book "Peter 38." The fist one clearly shows the Aussie flag painted in the middle of his scoreboard, 25 kills if you count the Aussie. In a second photo Johnson is standing be another -38 named "Barbara," the Aussie flag is gone and 24 kills are shown, the photo is captioned early summer 45'.