Csaba B. Stenge
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Looking for Lt. Crawford and/or his family (he was POW on June 16, 1944)
Hello all,
I am looking for Lt. Crawford, if he is still with us, or his relatives. Lt. Crawford was shot down over Hungary and became POW on June 16, 1944.
Thank you,
Csaba
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bioteror
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Re:Looking for Lt. Crawford and/or his family (he was POW on June 16,
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He and his two brothers, all were in USAAF whote a book about their experiences.
I have it in case you need some info.
I think he does not live anymore, but his brother who flew the same day with 376BG, and was under protection of his brother, was active some months ago.
regards
PeterKa :)
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Csaba B. Stenge
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Re:Looking for Lt. Crawford and/or his family (he was POW on June 16,
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Hi Peter,
Thank you, I'll drop you a message soon.
Csaba
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Yunch
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Re:Looking for Lt. Crawford and/or his family (he was POW on June 16,
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Csaba Uram,
In the event Peter cannot assist you, I know two pilots that are still alive and flew with LT Crawford in the 4th FS, 5nd FG. So as not to bother them with some frivolous question, may I ask why you seek the info you request?.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, John GM 3/C USS Snowden DE246--Frost DE144 Kin to LT. John W. Farnkopf 15th AF, 52 FG, 4th FS MIA 11/11/44 remains found 12/8/53 "Freedom is not free, it is paid for"
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bioteror
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Re:Looking for Lt. Crawford and/or his family (he was POW on June 16,
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Hi Yunch,
Because the 52.FG flew cover for Wing, that attacked Bratislava, which is in my interest. Would it be possible to ask those two pilots on details of the incident when Lt. Crawford was shot down, if they remember. And possibly other details of June 16, 1944 Mission?
Thanks a lot
Peter
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Yunch
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Re:Looking for Lt. Crawford and/or his family (he was POW on June 16,
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Peter,
One gentleman stated that the bomb group was late at the target. When they did arrive Me 109s did also. They were about ready to attack the MEs but a P-38 squadron got to them first. ME 210s also got into the fight and between all the units involved there was quite a dog fight between them. LT. Crawford was last seen trying to evade a couple of P-38s. He was shot down, by one of them and became a POW.
His story falls pretty much in line with that of Tom Ivie's book.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, John GM 3/C USS Snowden DE246--Frost DE144 Kin to LT. John W. Farnkopf 15th AF, 52 FG, 4th FS MIA 11/11/44 remains found 12/8/53 "Freedom is not free, it is paid for"
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bioteror
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Re:Looking for Lt. Crawford and/or his family (he was POW on June 16,
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Thanks. I may agree, from what I know.
Just to say, the me 210s were in fact Me 410s of ZG 76, me 109s were of II.JG 27 and I./JG 302. And some HUngarians as well, but possibly more to the south. Csaba will know more if you are interested.
regards
Peter
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Yunch
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Re:Looking for Lt. Crawford and/or his family (he was POW on June 16,
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Peter, It was not out of the ordinary to be shot at by your own people. John and a flymate came back from a B-24 escort mission shot up with 50 caliber holes from one of the bombers. One bullet in the radio gear behind John, inches from his head. On one mission his squadron leader claimed a possible shoot down, camera footage showed he shot at his own man. Luckly the guy shot at came back alive.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, John GM 3/C USS Snowden DE246--Frost DE144 Kin to LT. John W. Farnkopf 15th AF, 52 FG, 4th FS MIA 11/11/44 remains found 12/8/53 "Freedom is not free, it is paid for"
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Csaba B. Stenge
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Re:Looking for Lt. Crawford and/or his family (he was POW on June 16,
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Yunch,
Thank you, but I really looking for him and/or his family. The MACR contains a possible cause of his loss (and everyone else reapeats the same, based on the same source) But he knows really, what happened to him and possibly he told it to his realtives too. This is, what is really interesting to me in this case. (The exact crashing place of his Mustang also not clear to me).
As for friendly fire incidents: it was very common, I collected really a lot of such events.
Incidentally, the reported large dogfight was mainly against the Hungarian Bf 109s.
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bioteror
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Re:Looking for Lt. Crawford and/or his family (he was POW on June 16,
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