I recently acquired and have been researching an extensive archive belonging to 2nd Lt. Lloyd J. Andrews Jr. of the 392nd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, who was killed in action while flying a P-38 Lightning on October 20, 1944.
What initially caught my attention was an official postwar witness account describing Andrews' final combat. According to the report, Andrews and his wingman became separated from their formation and engaged twelve enemy fighters. The witness stated that Andrews had already shot down four enemy aircraft during the battle. When his wingman's ammunition was exhausted and he was forced to bail out, Andrews turned back toward the remaining enemy fighters rather than return to base. The witness reported that Andrews attacked the remaining aircraft alone and was shot down during the action.
The archive remained together within the family for over 80 years and includes:
One interesting discovery was correspondence from fellow cadets who addressed Andrews by the nickname "Havolini."
I am posting to share the story and to see whether anyone here has additional information regarding Lt. Andrews, the 392nd Fighter Squadron, the 367th Fighter Group, or any of the individuals appearing in the signed photographs.
While researching Andrews' loss on October 20, 1944, I discovered that his final mission was part of a much larger and more costly engagement than I initially realized.
One document in the archive reports that Andrews engaged enemy fighters during the action and destroyed multiple aircraft before being shot down himself. Additional German records appear to indicate that the aircraft was brought down during fighter action rather than by anti-aircraft fire.
The 367th Fighter Group was tasked with attacking railroad bridges in the Düren area when it encountered heavy Luftwaffe opposition. Records indicate that the 394th Squadron was attacked by approximately 16 Fw 190s, while the 392nd Squadron, Andrews' unit, was reportedly attacked by approximately 25 Fw 190s.
The formation was broken apart during the engagement. Squadron leader Lt. Malone was shot down and captured. Lt. Mathisen was also shot down and captured. Deputy Group Commander Lt. Col. Morris Crossen was killed in action. Lt. Andrews was lost during the battle.
What initially caught my attention was an official postwar witness account describing Andrews' final combat. According to the report, Andrews and his wingman became separated from their formation and engaged twelve enemy fighters. The witness stated that Andrews had already shot down four enemy aircraft during the battle. When his wingman's ammunition was exhausted and he was forced to bail out, Andrews turned back toward the remaining enemy fighters rather than return to base. The witness reported that Andrews attacked the remaining aircraft alone and was shot down during the action.
The archive remained together within the family for over 80 years and includes:
- Distinguished Flying Cross and named Air Medal
- MACR and casualty documentation
- Original witness correspondence regarding his final combat
- Signed photographs from fellow Army Air Forces cadets and pilots
- Personal wartime correspondence
- Marriage certificate to Anne Estelle McKee (December 1943)
- Arizona Governor Sidney P. Osborn's wedding congratulations letter
- Family scrapbook documenting Andrews' life from cadet training through combat service and death
- Photographs, newspaper articles, postcards, and personal memorabilia
One interesting discovery was correspondence from fellow cadets who addressed Andrews by the nickname "Havolini."
I am posting to share the story and to see whether anyone here has additional information regarding Lt. Andrews, the 392nd Fighter Squadron, the 367th Fighter Group, or any of the individuals appearing in the signed photographs.
While researching Andrews' loss on October 20, 1944, I discovered that his final mission was part of a much larger and more costly engagement than I initially realized.
One document in the archive reports that Andrews engaged enemy fighters during the action and destroyed multiple aircraft before being shot down himself. Additional German records appear to indicate that the aircraft was brought down during fighter action rather than by anti-aircraft fire.
The 367th Fighter Group was tasked with attacking railroad bridges in the Düren area when it encountered heavy Luftwaffe opposition. Records indicate that the 394th Squadron was attacked by approximately 16 Fw 190s, while the 392nd Squadron, Andrews' unit, was reportedly attacked by approximately 25 Fw 190s.
The formation was broken apart during the engagement. Squadron leader Lt. Malone was shot down and captured. Lt. Mathisen was also shot down and captured. Deputy Group Commander Lt. Col. Morris Crossen was killed in action. Lt. Andrews was lost during the battle.
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