Famous WW II pilots

[Marechallannes]

Does anyone know this pilot?

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90787&d=1369046467

[Dan-Sam]

Yes, I know him.

[Nightbomber]

Douglas Bader.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

'Tin legs' Bader. Great cricket player before his crash and a pretty good golfer afterwards. 20 and 4 shared kills, 6 and 1 shared probables and 11 damaged.

His rules of air combat were simple and direct - much like the man himself:

- If you had the height, you controlled the battle
- If you came out of the sun, the enemy could not see you
- If you held your fire until you were very close, you seldom missed

'Reach for the Sky' is his biography by Paul Brickhill and a darned good read.

[Marechallannes]

Exactly

Group Captain Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader :)

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90809&d=1369073164

(from Wiki) In August 1941, Bader bailed out over German-occupied France and was captured. Soon afterward, he met and befriended Adolf Galland, a prominent German fighter ace.[4] The circumstances surrounding how Bader was shot down in 1941 are controversial. Recent research strongly suggests he was a victim of friendly fire. Despite his disability, Bader made a number of escape attempts and was eventually sent to the POW camp at Colditz Castle. He remained there until April 1945 when the camp was liberated by the First United States Army.

[Marechallannes]

Any idea where these two guys belong to?

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90808&d=1369073164

[Nightbomber]

Oh yes:) Thomas McGuire Jr (right) & Richard I. Bong (left) in front of P-38:)
Probably 475th Fighter Group.
McGuire, some say a "bloodthirsty" ace died during fight with Soichi Sugita (80 kills).

[csadn]

McGuire, some say a "bloodthirsty" ace died during fight with Soichi Sugita (80 kills).

To be fair: McGuire was *not* shot down -- he forgot to punch off his drop tanks, stalled at low altitude, and crashed.

[Nightbomber]

That is why I wrote "died", not shot down.

[Carl_Brisgamer]

The other gentleman is Major Richard Ira Bong USAAF, who shot down 40 Japanese aircraft flying the P-38 and won the Medal of Honour.

Killed in a crash whilst testing the P-80 jet fighter on 6 August 1945, at the tender age of 24.

[Marechallannes]

Yes, the top two US pilots in the Pacific area.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90840&d=1369117682

Richard Ira "D ick" Bong (September 24, 1920 – August 6, 1945) is the United States' highest-scoring air ace, having shot down at least 40 Japanese aircraft during World War II. He was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. All of his aerial victories were in the P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft.

His P38 "Marge":

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90842&d=1369117896

Thomas Buchanan McGuire Jr. (August 1, 1920–January 7, 1945) was one of the most decorated American combat pilots of World War II. He was the second highest scoring American ace of the war and was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.

His P38 "Pudgy":

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90841&d=1369117896

[Marechallannes]

Found this picture of a pilot...

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90843&d=1369118789

[Dan-Sam]

Werner Mölders?

[Marechallannes]

...too easy. :hmm:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90856&d=1369122820

Oberst Werner Mölders (18 March 1913 – 22 November 1941) was a World War II German Luftwaffe pilot and the leading German fighter ace in the Spanish Civil War. Mölders became the first pilot in aviation history to claim 100 aerial victories—that is, 100 aerial combat encounters resulting in the destruction of the enemy aircraft, and was highly decorated for his achievements. He was instrumental in the development of new fighter tactics which led to the finger-four formation. He died in an air crash in which he was a passenger.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90857&d=1369122972

[Marechallannes]

This will not be so easy:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90858&d=1369123374

[Dan-Sam]

Alex Vraciu? They all look alike in helmets.

[Marechallannes]

It's him. ;)

Alexander Vraciu (born November 2, 1918) was a leading United States Navy fighter ace and Medal of Honor nominee during World War II. He once shot down six Japanese dive bombers in eight minutes.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90925&d=1369139030

Vraciu's most successful day as an aviator occurred during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea, also known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot", on June 19th 1944. Despite a malfunctioning supercharger, he intercepted a formation of Japanese dive bombers and destroyed six in a period of eight minutes. After Vraciu landed, ordnancemen on Lexington discovered that he had used only 360 bullets; on average, each of these six kills had followed a burst less than five seconds long.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90924&d=1369138867

[Marechallannes]

Here is the next one:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90926&d=1369139611

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Here is the next one:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90926&d=1369139611

Easy one Sven - Adolph 'Sailor' Malan.

Even if you did not know his face the 'South Africa' shoulder flash is a good clue.

[Marechallannes]

Ok. :)

Adolph Gysbert Malan, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar (24 March 1910 – 17 September 1963), better known as Sailor Malan, was a famed South African World War II RAF fighter pilot who led No. 74 Squadron RAF during the height of the Battle of Britain. ... Under his leadership No. 74 became one of the RAF's best units. Malan scored 27 kills, seven shared destroyed, three probably destroyed and 16 damaged.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90951&d=1369152249

[Marechallannes]

Axis double pack:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90952&d=1369152990

[Nightbomber]

??? Gustav Rödel and Werner Schroer ???

[Marechallannes]

Too many question marks, comrade. :)

But you got the right answer...

Pilot on the left: Oberst Gustav Rödel (born 24 October 1915 in Merseburg – died 6 February 1995 in Bonn-Bad Godesberg) was a German World War II Luftwaffe fighter ace. He scored all but one of his 98 victories against the Western Allies in over 980 combat missions whilst flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves (German: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub). The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

His Me109 in North Africa:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90991&d=1369202052

Pilot on the right: Werner Schroer (12 February 1918 in Mülheim an der Ruhr – 10 February 1985 in Ottobrunn) was a German World War II fighter ace who served in the Luftwaffe from 1937, initially as a member of the ground staff, until the end of World War II in Europe on 8 May 1945, by which time he had reached the highest ranks of combat leadership.
Schröer was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. For the fighter pilots, the grades of the Knight's Cross were also a quantifiable measure of their success and skill. Werner Schröer was arguably the greatest pilot of the Mediterranean theatre after the inimitable Hans-Joachim Marseille.

Werner Schroer was the 144th recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. He was credited with 114 victories, claimed in only 197 combat missions. His tally of 26 four-engined bombers ranked him the 5th most successful pilot against that formidable type. Likewise, his score of 102 victories against the Western Allies, including 61 claimed over North Africa, make him the 5th-equal ranked pilot, alongside Joachim Müncheberg and Egon Mayer.

His Me109 in North Africa:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90992&d=1369202052

[Marechallannes]

Here's the next pilot:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=90993&d=1369202226

[Nightbomber]

OK. This time I do not run through any files, books and web. Just a first thought, if memory serves well...
The face look somewhat familiar...
Gabreski?

[Nightbomber]

Yes!:))))) first shot:FOK:

[Dan-Sam]

One for Andrzej? :) The man is Francis Gabreski.

[Dan-Sam]

Grrrrr! That was only about a minute!

[Nightbomber]

Excuse me Daniel:) It was about a week ago or so I watched a great documentary film about Gabreski on (probably) National Geographic Channel with lots of aerial scenes and of course his biography (Polish) details. That is why I have recalled his face so easily:)

[Dan-Sam]

Anyway, point for you ;)

[Nightbomber]

And for Sven - for keeping us all entertained;)

[Marechallannes]

You're welcome!

Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski (born Franciszek Gabryszewski; January 28, 1919 – January 31, 2002) was the top American fighter ace in Europe during World War II, a jet fighter ace in Korea, and a career officer in the United States Air Force with more than 26 years service.

Although best known for his credited destruction of 34½ aircraft in aerial combat and being one of only seven U.S. combat pilots to become an ace in two wars, Gabreski was also one of the Air Force's most accomplished leaders. In addition to commanding two fighter squadrons, Gabreski had six command tours at group or wing level, including one in combat in Korea, totalling over 11 years of command and 15 overall in operational fighter assignments.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=91191&d=1369317774

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Giving Sven a break, here's another ace to identify........

91189

[Dan-Sam]

Bobby Gibbes? :)

[Carl_Brisgamer]

Bobby Gibbes? :)

Yes indeed, RAAF Wing Commander Robert Henry Maxwell (Bobby) Gibbes DSO, DFC & Bar, OAM.

Credited with 10 and 1/4 victories during WW2, Gibbes was born in rural New South Wales in May 1916. He worked as a jackaroo and salesman before joining the Royal Australian Air Force in February 1940. Posted to the Middle East in May 1941, he became commanding officer of No. 3 Squadron RAAF during the North African campaign, where his leadership and fighting skills earned him the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar. Subsequently posted to the South West Pacific Theatre, he served with the Australian First Tactical Air Force, and took part in the "Morotai Mutiny" of April 1945. After the war he spent many years in New Guinea, developing local industry, for which he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2004. He died in April 2007, at the age of 90.

[Marechallannes]

Wow! You know them all, Daniel. :eek:

I didn't knew this pilot.

Good idea Carl, to post own pictures. :thumbsup:

Here is a another ace and I wonder if you know him. :slysmile:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=91190&d=1369317774

Carl made it right

If you identfy the pilot, please copy a few lines from Wiki or from elswhere and ad it to the solution to learn a little bit about this person.

Feel free to add an own pilot picture after we identified the last one. :)

:thankyou:

[Dan-Sam]

Architects says: "God is in detail." For Gibbes was important a small detail - flag under Carl's avatar ;)

This oneis pretty hard. Is he Gerhard Barkhorn (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerhard_Barkhorn)?

[Nightbomber]

Now it is Josef Priller.

[Nightbomber]

JOSEF "PIPS" PRILLER:

What you can not find in Wiki:
A fighter giant, measuring only 162 cm in height. All his victims were Western pilots. He was known for a specific sense of humour. Pilots used to say Pips was the only man who could make Goering laugh even in the worst situation. Once he talked about a green pilot of his group who got lost over London and called the other pilots: "C'mon fast kameraden, I'm here all alone over London!" Pips answered: "Calm down, mensch, you will have several Sptfiren on your six and you won't be alone any more!"
The greatest Priller's virtue was not the number of his victories, but the style of command, being a living example to others. Worth mention is that Johnnie Johnson, the author of book entitled "Full Circle" stated that majority of Pip's claims is confirmed in Allied reports.

[Dan-Sam]

Oh yes, I see the nose now. Another point for you, Andrzej.

[Marechallannes]

Well done, Andrzej! :salute:

Josef "Pips" Priller (27 July 1915 – 20 May 1961) was a German World War II fighter ace. He has become famous because of the publicity regarding his Focke-Wulf's Fw 190A-8's single strafing pass attack on Sword Beach on June 6, 1944 (D-Day), accompanied by his wingman Heinz Wodarczyk. This act was first brought to the world's attention by the book, and then the film, The Longest Day. Contrary to popular belief, Priller and his wingman were not the only Luftwaffe forces to attack the beachhead on 6 June 1944. Both Luftwaffe Hauptmann (Captain) Helmut Eberspächer, leading a ground-attack four-plane element of Fw 190As of SKG 10 were responsible for downing a quartet of RAF Avro Lancasters at 0500 over the invasion area, and the Luftwaffe bomber wing Kampfgeschwader 54 made several attacks on the British beachheads on D-Day. Priller was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves and Swords was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.

Josef Priller flew 1307 combat missions to claim 101 victories. All his victories were recorded over the Western Front, and consisted of 11 USAAF heavy bombers, 68 Spitfires (the highest Luftwaffe ace's tally for these aircraft),11 Hurricanes, 5 medium bombers, and 5 USAAF fighters.



Andrzej, maybe you could post the next pilot picture? ;)

[Nightbomber]

Count on me, Kamerad.
I'll post the next one tonight:)

[Dan-Sam]

By the way Carl, let me congratulate to you to your new anniversary - 1500th post! And of course, give him a Service medal :medal:

[Nightbomber]

Easy game this time, chaps. Identify this pilot. Pet's name would be bonus point (I have not found it yet myself;))

91323

[The Cowman]

By the way Carl, let me congratulate to you to your new anniversary - 1500th post! And of course, give him a Service medal :medal:

Done.... :thumbsup:

[Dan-Sam]

Jan Zumbach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Zumbach) and Misia?

[Nightbomber]

Perfect guess, Daniel:) I am not sure about the pet's name, but ... maybe;) Congrats!

Thanks for the link to his biography.

Now I am reading this book:
Zumbach, Jean (sic). On Wings of War: My Life as a Pilot Adventurer. London: Corgi, 1977. ISBN 978-0-552-10521-7.
in Polish version ("Ostatnia Walka"). Brilliant memoirs of a pilot-adventurer-smuggler:D

[Dan-Sam]

Probably it is not Misia. Misia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dywizjon_303_Misia.jpg) was a mascot of 303rd Squadron (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._303_Polish_Fighter_Squadron), but the dog on the photo (on Wiki) is much more hairier than this one :)

[gully_raker]

:confused: Somehow lost track of this fine thread along the way but thought I would resurect it with a few more pics.
So have at it chaps & good luck.:thumbsup:

Here is Number One.

93406

[Jager]

Wing Commander Ian Gleed
The picture was used for the cover of his book: "Arise and Conquer"
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arise-Conquer-Ian-Gleed/dp/1906502935

http://www.hatfield-herts.co.uk/aviation/gleed.html

Wing Commander Ian "Widge" Gleed, leader of No. 244 Wing, in his Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB at an airfield in Tunisia, April 1943:
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205209069


Karl

[Marechallannes]

Well done Karl. :salute:

Good idea to serve us mor WWII pilots, Barry!

[gully_raker]

:salute: Well done Karl!
Here is a pic of his Aircraft which carries his initials & Rank Pennant.
Incendently his nick name was "Widge" & he won the DSO & DFC & achieved 15 victories before being killed in action on 16th April 1943.

93435

[gully_raker]

:D O.K. Folks, here is the next one.

93436

[Marechallannes]

Looks like a RAF or Commonwealth pilot with this jacket.

I have no idea... :confused:

[Jager]

Squadron Leader Marmaduke Thomas St. John "Pat" Pattle DFC & Bar.
The wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmaduke_Pattle
Busy chap: South African pilot in the North African/ Med Sea front. 40 comfirmed kills, maybe as high as 51.
Shot down over Athens 20 April 1941by Bf-110s (Him being in a Hurricane, and sick). 4 of his mates went down with him.
Karl

[gully_raker]

Squadron Leader Marmaduke Thomas St. John "Pat" Pattle DFC & Bar.
The wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmaduke_Pattle
Busy chap: South African pilot in the North African/ Med Sea front. 40 comfirmed kills, maybe as high as 51.
Shot down over Athens 20 April 1941by Bf-110s (Him being in a Hurricane, and sick). 4 of his mates went down with him.
Karl

:thumbsup: Spot on Karl!
Some more onfo on Pattle: Scored victories in Gladiators & Hurricans & generally believed to be the RAF's highest scoring Ace.
His Greek campaign veterans say he scored neary 60 kills.

[gully_raker]

:D O.K. Heres the next one.
:cheezy: Maybe Karl can restrain himself for a day or two & see if anyone else can come up with the answer.;)

93579

[Jager]

I'll rest for now; still getting things done for Origins.
Karl

[wargamer]

Just wondering, why his wings are on the wrong side. Just about everyone wears their wings above their medals or ribbons. So, the weird shaped bird above his medals are polish wings. So my guess is Stanislaw Skalski, this photo certainly indicates he was in the ball park for the award the general earned.

http://www.mysliwcy.pl/ksiega/Skalski.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanis%C5%82aw_Skalski

[Marechallannes]

Well done,Al. :thumbsup:

As an sddition to the pilot before...


:thumbsup: Spot on Karl!
Some more onfo on Pattle: Scored victories in Gladiators & Hurricans & generally believed to be the RAF's highest scoring Ace.
His Greek campaign veterans say he scored neary 60 kills.

This is Pattle's plane:

Saw the picture (Barry used) on the backside of the plane card, yesterday. ;)

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=65913&d=1353004090

[gully_raker]

:clap::clap::clap: Well done Al!
Some more info on Skalski:
He flew in No. 142 "Wild Duck" Sqd in Poland in PLZ P.XIe's & shot down 4 Dornier 17's .Then flew Hurricanes in Britain, became a Flight Commander in 306 (Polish) Sqd in Spitfires & ended as Wing Commander of 133(2nd Polish) Fighter Wing on Mustangs.
After the war returned to Poland & was imprisoned by the Russians but eventually was released & became a Taxi Driver!:salute:

[gully_raker]

:D So to keep this thread going here is one that might prove a bit more difficult!

93657

[FrankJamison]

Just a "wee bit" more difficult. I had to go to the Tate Gallery, then to "The Face of Courage: Eric Kennington, Portraiture and the Second World War
By Jonathan Black," and finally to a graves registry.


The painting if from Eric Kennington and it's called "At Readiness."


The flyer is Pilot Officer Richard Playne Stevens, DSO & DFC with bar. Hurricane pilot with No. 151 Squadron and apparently a very respected (but not very internet popular) night fighter pilot. Died on December 15, 1941.


http://books.google.com/books?id=UeoyygujmVwC&pg=PA20&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false


http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=12727664

[gully_raker]

:clap::clap::clap: Well done Frank!

He was the highest scoring Hurricane Night fighter pilot.

[gully_raker]

;) Watch out for some German Aces sometime next week!

[Marechallannes]

I'm curious, Barry.

The last RAF Nightfighter pilot was a tricky challenge, but his background story is very interesting.

[csadn]

94329

[Пилот]

Rex T. Barber?

Had he something with Yamamoto?

[Naharaht]

Heмaњa is correct.

http://b-29s-over-korea.com/rexbarber/barber.html

[Marechallannes]

Interesting, that the US-pilots disagree about the aerial victory. :hmm:

Not that behaviour someone could expect from a fighter pilot.

...and a Lieutenant called a Colonel a liar. :erk: Interesting, very interesting. :confused:

From the link above:

THE YAMAMOTO CONTROVERSY

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was the Commander in Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy in WWII. He was considered Japan's greatest military leader, credited with the success of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. U.S. Naval Intelligence had broken the Japanese Military Code, and on April 14th, 1943, they intercepted a message that said Admiral Yamamoto would be flying to Bougainville on the 18th. The message stated he would be flying in a "Betty" bomber escorted by six Zeros. The flight was expected to arrive at 0800. Admiral Chester Nimitz with the backing of President Roosevelt and Navy Secretary Knox gave the go ahead to intercept the flight and kill Yamamoto. The job was given to Major John Mitchell of the U.S. Army 13th Air Force, 339th Sqdn, who used P-38 fighters. To Bougainville and back was over 850 miles, and the P-38 was the only plane capable of covering that distance. Also it carried four .50 Cal. machine guns and a 20 mm cannon.

Major Mitchell selected 16 of his top pilots, including himself, to do the job. He knew the chances of locating the Yamamoto flight would be one in a million, even if the intercepted report was correct. The gamble paid off when the P-38s reached Bougainville and spotted the Japanese flight. Then came the surprise. There were two Betty bombers and it was impossible to know which one carried the Admiral. Both bombers were shot down and this is where the controversy begins, and has continued for over 50 years. Two pilots claimed they shot down the plane carrying Yamamoto. The two pilots claiming the kill were Lt. Tom Lanphier and Col. Rex Barber. Adding to the problem was the fact that when the flight returned to Guadalcanal there was such rejoicing that there was no official debriefing or interrogation after the mission. Lanphier was yelling that he had shot down the bomber carrying Yamamoto. When Barber said the facts indicated otherwise, that he shot down the bomber and that
Lanphier was headed in the opposite direction, Lanphier challenged him and called him a "damned liar". All reports conclude that Rex Barber indeed was the pilot who shot down the plane carrying Yamamoto. In a later interview with the only surviving pilot of the six Japanese escort fighters, his testimony clearly showed that Rex Barber's story was completely accurate. The Japanese pilot, Kenji Yanagiya , testified that Lanphier was, as Barber claimed, headed in the opposite direction to meet attacking Zeros. All records substantiate Barber's claim, and it seems academic that he should get full credit for the shoot down. This controversy has boiled for years without official recognition. One full victory credit for a bomber was given to Lanphier, and one full victory credit was for a bomber was given to Barber. One credit was split between Barber and Holmes. To this day our government has not given official recognition for the shoot down, even though all logic points to Barber. So the controversy continues, and without testimony of some pilots now deceased will probably never be settled. There are volumes available on the incident, and the more I read the more I am convinced that there is no problem. In my opinion it is obvious that Rex Barber shot down the plane carrying Admiral Yamamoto.

[Marechallannes]

Here's the next one:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=94991&d=1371731053

[Naharaht]

It is Lt Edward H. O'Hare. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for single-handedly attacking a formation of Japanese bombers and shooting down five of them.

http://usfighter.tripod.com/ohare.htm

[7eat51]

O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named after him. It's one of the busiest airports in the world.

[7eat51]

95043

[Naharaht]

It is Oberleutnant Franz Stigler.

[7eat51]

Correct. He was a German ace who chose not to shoot down a severely damaged B-17.

For more on the story: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2245472/Amazing-tale-WWII-pilots-encounter-German-flying-ace-saluted-American-plane-let-fly-safely-instead-shooting-down.html





http://youtu.be/_8EkmyoG83Q

[gully_raker]

:thumbsup: Well done Chaps some quick replies there!
Here is one that should be easy.:D

95434

[Marechallannes]

That's the Stern von Afrika.

One of Germany's most famous fighter pilots in WW II.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=95450&d=1371885646

Hans-Joachim Marseille 13 December 1919 – 30 September 1942, was a Luftwaffe fighter pilot and flying ace during World War II. He is noted for his aerial battles during the North African Campaign and his Bohemian lifestyle. One of the most successful fighter pilots, he was nicknamed the "Star of Africa". Marseille claimed all but seven of his "official" 158 victories against the British Commonwealth's Desert Air Force over North Africa, flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter for his entire combat career. No other pilot claimed as many Western Allied aircraft as Marseille.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=95451&d=1371885886

[Marechallannes]

Here is my answer to this "easy" ace ;) :

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63514&d=1350972925

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Here is a bit of a different one for you chaps.


95456

Rob.

[Marechallannes]

Hey Rob, you have to identify the pilot above before publishing a new one. :smack:

[Baldrick62]

Hey Rob, you have to identify the pilot above before publishing a new one. :smack:

Submitted on behalf of (an apparently gin-addled) F/O Kyte:

Group Captain Clive Robertson Caldwell DSO, DFC & Bar (28 July 1910 – 5 August 1994) was the leading Australian air ace of World War II.

95485

[Naharaht]

Can you identify this pilot?

95641

[Marechallannes]

Here is a bit of a different one for you chaps.


95456

Rob.

Josef František: a Czech Sergeant-Pilot
After the fall of France František fled to Britain and after training on 2 August was assigned to No. 303 Polish Squadron based at RAF Northolt, flying Hawker Hurricane fighters. The squadron entered action in the last phase of the Battle of Britain. The first confirmed victory of Sgt. František was a German Bf 109E fighter on 2 September 1940.

He shot down 17 German aircraft and 1 probable, of which 9 were Bf 109s, becoming one of the top scoring Allied fighter pilots of the Battle of Britain. His last victory was on 30 September 1940 and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.

On 8 October 1940, František's Hurricane crashed in Ewell, Surrey during a landing approach after a patrol. Reasons for the crash are not known, but according to some theories, he may have been making aerobatic figures to impress his girlfriend,[citation needed] or it might have been a result of battle fatigue and physical exhaustion.

He was buried in a Polish military cemetery. He was awarded several decorations, among them the Virtuti Militari 5th class and he was the first foreigner awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal with Bar.

[Marechallannes]

It's important to identify the pilot before publish another one. ;)

Let's continue with Naharat's famous Japanese one...


Can you identify this pilot?

95641

Any suggestions? :confused:

[gully_raker]

It's important to identify the pilot before publish another one. ;)

Let's continue with Naharat's famous Japanese one...





Any suggestions? :confused:

:confused: Could it be Hiroyoshi Nishizawa?

[Naharaht]

No, I am afraid that you are incorrect there, Barry.

[AlgyLacey]

Can you identify this pilot?

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PO Hideo Oishi?

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Hey Rob, you have to identify the pilot above before publishing a new one. :smack:

OOps! Sorry chaps.
Rob.

[Naharaht]

No, I am afraid that you are incorrect too, Dave.

[Marechallannes]

Did this Japanese pilot fly a two engined fighter?

(...they look all similar to me. :confused:)

[Thomatchef]

A wild guess : Satoru Anabuki ?

[gully_raker]

:confused:Could it be Ens. Saburo Sakai 64 victories?
He was a member of the JIN elite Tainan Kokutai active in the South Pacific & New Guinea areas which included WO Hiroyoshi Nishizawa amongst other Jap aces.

[Naharaht]

Yes, he flew a two engined fighter, Sven. Thomas and Barry, I am afraid that you are both wrong.

[Marechallannes]

Himmel, what are you doing to us... :erk:

I did some research fo the picture and found out that it should be a Nakajima J1N Gekko.

...and read this in Wiki:

The J1N1-S was used against B-29 Superfortresses in Japan, though the lack of good radar and insufficient high-altitude performance handicapped it, since usually only one pass could be made against the higher-speed B-29s. However, some skillful pilots had spectacular successes, such as Lieutenant Sachio Endo, who was credited with destroying eight B-29s and damaging another eight before he was shot down by a B-29 crew, Shigetoshi Kudo (nine victories), Shiro Kuratori (six victories), and Juzo Kuramoto (eight victories); the last two claimed five B-29s during the night of 25–26 May 1945.

I'm shure, that the one with the sword is: Shigetoshi Kudo

The one with the pilot googles could be his observer.

[Marechallannes]

Do you even know the name of the pilot or pilots? :lol:

Like I wrote above: I found the picture in the web, but no pilot names.

[Naharaht]

Yes, I do know the pilot's name. It is not Shigetoshi Kudo. Here is a photograph of him.
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However, you were close to the correct answer and would soon have guessed it. It is in fact Shiro Kuratori.

On the night of 25/26th May 1945, Ens. Shiro Kuratori together with C.P.O. Juzo Kuramoto as observer flew a Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko nightfighter armed with 20mm cannons on a 'Schrage Musik' mounting. In a single three hour mission they shot down five B-29's and damaged another. On 1st June 1945 they were given a citation and awarded ceremonial swords. Additionally Shiro Kuratori was promoted to Lt (j.g.) [apparently something quite rare for living pilots]. Also his C.O. forbade him from deliberately ramming a B-29.

The other officer with the cane in the photograph is Tech./Lt (j.g.) Minoru Hida of the Yokosuka AG.

Most of my information on this comes from the Osprey book 'Imperial Japanese Navy Aces 1937-1945' by Henry Sakaida but you can also find out about him on http://www.cieldegloire.com/010_kurotori_s.php

[Marechallannes]

Ah, that's it, David. :smack:

I thought of Shiro Kuratori* too, but the number of his official confirmed kills didn't fit to the eight kill marks on the fuselage of the plane in the picture.

In Germany it's nearly impossible to find good or more detailed books about the air war, pilots and units in the Pacific in German language.

...and you have to pay extra for the sometimes hard to understand English specialist literature.

Good challenge, David. :salute:



*five B-29, that's hard to believe :erk:

[Baldrick62]

A bit cheeky perhaps, but after post #82, I'll co-opt Kyte's go with an ace who should be far more famous than he is.

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[Jager]

Wing Commander Brendan Eamonn Fergus Finucane , better known as Paddy Finucane.
28 air victories, five probably destroyed, six shared destroyed, one shared probable victory, and eight damaged.
Died on 15 July 1942, after ditching into the Channel due to damage from ground fire over France.
Karl

[Baldrick62]

Correct; the youngest ever Wing Commander (OF-4) in RAF Fighter Command at the age of 21.