US WWII, Outstanding P-38 Pilot Grouping, POW Italy 1944
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $595.00

Original era grouping. From a local estate, comes this very complete grouping to a WWII USAAF P-38 Pilot, who became a prisoner of the Germans when his aircraft struck a high-tension wire while strafing a German airfield in Italy. What really sets this grouping apart is the 10 page, typewritten account of the incident mentioned above, prepared as an entry in a competition sponsored bySAGA magazine in the 1950's.A return letter from SAGA thanked him for his contribution, the content being an enjoyable read, but were sorry; "It didn't quite make the grade".Regardless of SAGA's opinion, the account provided is extremely detailed and very well written. March 18th 1944, 1st Fighter Group, 27th Fighter Squadron. "Flying at 100 feet to avoid enemy radar up theAdriatic...circling a German airfield near Treviso, a boil of dust is seen on the ground...a large plane is taking off; a Ju-52 Transport.(flying as wingman to flight leader Rafel, both pilots engage the aircraft, resulting in its destruction).They pull up, gaining a few thousand feet, and see a freight train below, this target is also engaged "...coming in from behind with all guns spitting...a final burst into the locomotive...and a fast pull out with control column full back"."Then a vision of a wire ahead and above...at 300 mph I can't avoid it. Crash, snap, lightning, a sudden braking and a drag to the right...am I on fire, high enough to bail out (No!!!) Where to crash land??"I hit trees and not having a shoulder harness on am thrown against the bullet-proof glass striking my left arm and forehead. I see stars and hear a roar as right engine is freed of prop, then with my arm down I hit glass again and again, the last time being the last I remember".After being rescued by a local farmer from his burning aircraft, he is taken to a farmhouse and had his wounds dressed. Later he was captured by the Italians and taken to the Germans. He spent the remainder of WWII in Stalag 7A in Moosburg Bavaria. The lot includes his named Air Medal (wrap brooch, cased) POW Medal, Purple Heart (cased, unnamed), 3 inch Pilot Wings (AE Company, Sterling, clutchback), assorted insignia, a leather cigarette case with his initials and winged prop emblem, a pocket size copy of his honorable discharge, a veterans reunion badge with a then and now photo, a Pilot Log noting flights in Italy in 1943, and a large file of related paperwork.