P-51 operated by 14 Squadron, RAF in 1943, photos or details.
- Thread starter Tom Hail
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fubar57
General
I'm seeing only these at the moment. Dates are for "Date on/Date off". Kinda busy at the moment but I'll do further checking later
fubar57
General
It seems that two didn't serve with 14 Squadron or maybe did but not recorded
No.14 Squadron RAF received a number of NA-91 P-51 Mustangs 'on temporary loan' from the USAAF MTO. They were operating Martin B-26 Marauders in primarily a maritime reconnaissance and strike role (bomb or torpedo) in the eastern and central Mediterranean. They had been running a routine of early morning reconnaissance flights into key areas of interest where enemy shipping was expected, then if any potential targets seen, making a sighting report which would lead to other aircraft of the squadron proceeding to the area to make an attack. Increasingly the reconnaissance Marauders were coming under attack by a range of enemy aircraft, leading to losses of aircraft and experienced aircrew. Another consideration was the speed/time taken to cover the reconnaissance area in the Marauder. The suggestion was therefore made, in the lack of any other suitable RAF alternative in the theatre at the time, to provide the Squadron with a Flight of Mustangs from USAAF sources to perform a fighter reconnaissance role supporting the Squadron's operations.
The Flight was formed in May 1943, and they were provided with aircraft that had already seen some service with the USAAF. The Squadron was also provided with six 'single seat fighter' pilots drawn from across a range of other RAF Squadrons in the MTO - 1 x RAF, 1 x RAAF, 3 x RCAF and 1 x RNZAF. The pilots were posted in slowly from mid April 1943 but are not recorded in the Squadron records until the Mustang Flight commences operations in May - possibly posted to No.14 Squadron but spent some time beforehand with USAAF converting on the Mustang and getting the aircraft ready. The six pilots were all posted out by end of June 1943.
First operational sortie flown 29 May 1943. 37364, 37368, 37370, and 37414, serial numbers recorded in Squadron Operational Record Books (held in UK Archives, digital copies available). Last operational sortie recording using the Mustangs on 7 June 1943. AIrcraft had a couple of encounters with enemy aircraft in that short timeframe, a couple of 'kills' and 'damaged' claimed, also attacks on some enemy shipping seen. The Mustangs were not used to escort the Squadron's Marauders, they operated independently. Aircraft returned to USAAF by mid June 1943.
As far as I can recall, don't think there are any photos of the Mustangs whilst with No.14 Squadron. Also given short timeframe and as it was known it was a short term loan, do not expect RAF national markings or similar to have been applied, likely to have retained USAAF markings for the time they were with No.14 Squadron.
Part of the reason for relinquishing the Mustangs so quickly was the Squadron was relocated to another airfield and started to cover a new area. In addition, they started to receive support from other RAF units in the new area after relocation for both reconnaissance and escort/support eg. Beaufighters.
The Flight was formed in May 1943, and they were provided with aircraft that had already seen some service with the USAAF. The Squadron was also provided with six 'single seat fighter' pilots drawn from across a range of other RAF Squadrons in the MTO - 1 x RAF, 1 x RAAF, 3 x RCAF and 1 x RNZAF. The pilots were posted in slowly from mid April 1943 but are not recorded in the Squadron records until the Mustang Flight commences operations in May - possibly posted to No.14 Squadron but spent some time beforehand with USAAF converting on the Mustang and getting the aircraft ready. The six pilots were all posted out by end of June 1943.
First operational sortie flown 29 May 1943. 37364, 37368, 37370, and 37414, serial numbers recorded in Squadron Operational Record Books (held in UK Archives, digital copies available). Last operational sortie recording using the Mustangs on 7 June 1943. AIrcraft had a couple of encounters with enemy aircraft in that short timeframe, a couple of 'kills' and 'damaged' claimed, also attacks on some enemy shipping seen. The Mustangs were not used to escort the Squadron's Marauders, they operated independently. Aircraft returned to USAAF by mid June 1943.
As far as I can recall, don't think there are any photos of the Mustangs whilst with No.14 Squadron. Also given short timeframe and as it was known it was a short term loan, do not expect RAF national markings or similar to have been applied, likely to have retained USAAF markings for the time they were with No.14 Squadron.
Part of the reason for relinquishing the Mustangs so quickly was the Squadron was relocated to another airfield and started to cover a new area. In addition, they started to receive support from other RAF units in the new area after relocation for both reconnaissance and escort/support eg. Beaufighters.
- Thread starter
- #5
Thank you verry much for the information. I worked with the 111th WW2 reunion people in the 1990s.
I have been trying to complete the aircraft list.
For markings;
the 154 squadron had the planes from April 2, 1943 to June 1943
The only squadron marking was the US FLAG on the tail. too many people were mistaking them for BF-109Es
They did put nicknames on the aircraft.
The 111th Squadron received them first on March 28,1943 from the depot then passed them on to the 154 and British as directed.
The squadron applied a single "plane-in-squadron" letter in yellow to the right of the national concord on the fuselage.
After the May 15 surrender in North Africa Spatz and Dolittle moved the 111th Squadron forward and stripped the 154 Squadron of P-51s
The leaders of the 154 were sent to the US to rewrite the Tactical Recon procedures. The 111th with many people from the 154 flew support for the 7th Army in Sicily.
and all the remaining P-51s (20) were assigned with the 111th. With a few P-39Ns (9). The old national insignia (with a Yellow surround) was kept, no time to repaint.
In Sicily the unit was split up with A echelon on the north coast supporting Gen. Patton's push, while B echelon at Gella West supporting Gen. Bradley around Mt. Edna.
After Sicily the units stayed where they were, and the planes were repainted with the new insignia with the planes remarked with a two latter code AA to AH for A echelon and
BA to BH for B echelon. The local service group helped and there are minor differences between the two sets of markings.
They only had 16 P-51s to start the battle for Italy, the Army gave them 3 A-36 to bring up the numbers. They could not be used for photo recon but were excellent weavers (wing men).
It means the gaps in the serial numbers are from early accidents and combat losses (3 from 12th ASC daily intel summaries). That the 12th Airforce did not record.
I have been trying to complete the aircraft list.
For markings;
the 154 squadron had the planes from April 2, 1943 to June 1943
The only squadron marking was the US FLAG on the tail. too many people were mistaking them for BF-109Es
They did put nicknames on the aircraft.
The 111th Squadron received them first on March 28,1943 from the depot then passed them on to the 154 and British as directed.
The squadron applied a single "plane-in-squadron" letter in yellow to the right of the national concord on the fuselage.
After the May 15 surrender in North Africa Spatz and Dolittle moved the 111th Squadron forward and stripped the 154 Squadron of P-51s
The leaders of the 154 were sent to the US to rewrite the Tactical Recon procedures. The 111th with many people from the 154 flew support for the 7th Army in Sicily.
and all the remaining P-51s (20) were assigned with the 111th. With a few P-39Ns (9). The old national insignia (with a Yellow surround) was kept, no time to repaint.
In Sicily the unit was split up with A echelon on the north coast supporting Gen. Patton's push, while B echelon at Gella West supporting Gen. Bradley around Mt. Edna.
After Sicily the units stayed where they were, and the planes were repainted with the new insignia with the planes remarked with a two latter code AA to AH for A echelon and
BA to BH for B echelon. The local service group helped and there are minor differences between the two sets of markings.
They only had 16 P-51s to start the battle for Italy, the Army gave them 3 A-36 to bring up the numbers. They could not be used for photo recon but were excellent weavers (wing men).
It means the gaps in the serial numbers are from early accidents and combat losses (3 from 12th ASC daily intel summaries). That the 12th Airforce did not record.
Any idea of the identity of the RNZAF chap Col?
Hi Steve,
Known names and details for the pilots involved with the Mustang Flight with No.14 Squadron RAF.
F/L D. Blair (the flight commander from 253 Sqn.)
F/O Robert Edmund Anderson RAAF 402337 (ex-32 Sqn.) [posted in 16.04.43 and out 28.06.43]
F/O Harvey Alexander Crawford RCAF J15545 (ex-32 Sqn.) [posted in 16.04.43]
F/O Karl Kenneth Brown Gildner RCAF J15973 (ex-87 Sqn.)
F/Sgt. Corran Perry Ashworth RNZAF 413367 [posted in from 253 Sqn. 16.04.43 and out to 32 Sqn. 23.06.43]
F/Sgt. D. Campbell [this is very likely Donald Fraser Campbell RCAF R76071 from 253 Sqn.]
See this website for more details and photos of Ashworth:
Kiwi Pilots in 253 Squadron: North Africa, c1943
Dedicated to my paternal great-uncle, after whom I was named, who fought and died in WWII.
corranashworth.info
Cheers,
Many thanks for that info Col.
