Hi,
 
I am seeking any information regarding 1st Lt. Richard J.Rensch,360thFS who died in the crash of P-51K 44-11577 at Valley,Wales on June 20th 1945.
 
I am compiling a roll of honor of all US servicemen who died on Welsh soil and would like to include as much information on Lt.Rensch as possible,I would especially like to locate a photograph of him.
 
Thanks,
 
Matt Rimmer.

Mat - Lt. Richard Rensch - Woodbury County , Iowa.
Listed at www.accident-report.com
Mike
 

Rensch was visiting his brother, a B-17 pilot on his way home from Valley; he had borrowed Lt. R D Schmalz's P-51 PI--M .
After his visit he climbed to 6000 ft. and executed 3 slow rolls before disappearing into the overcast. He was seen to exit this in a spiral but was too low for recovery and hit the water about 100 yards offshore.
He had flown 44 missions since Nov. 1944 and had credits of 1 detroyed and 4 damaged , all ground. These were at Biberach A/F on April 9 when the 360th was returning from escort ( to the 91BG ) to Oberpfaffenhofen .
His regular aircraft was P-51D 44-15341 PI--C.  ( not named ).
 
Afraid the photo is not so hot but it's a scan of a copy of a photo-copy !   Pilots  L--R........
standing   Adolph Paquet, Ernie Corner, Dick Rensch.   At front, Don Jones.   
The only other picture I've seen of him is at a party at MH in March 1945.                        Nick                

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I was hoping to get a copy of the picture of Lt. Rensch at the party.  He was my uncle and I would like to show it to my father, who is near the end of his days.  tjr

Hi Guys,
 
Thanks so much for your replies. Nick the info and photo are very helpful.
 
TJR,Would you like some photographs of the area where your uncle crashed? 
 
Regards to all,
 
Matt.  

Tim
I'm sure Kent Miller won't mind you seeing these, from his very fine book " The 356th Fighter Group in WW2 "'
 
                                                                                                 Regards           Nick

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Very much so.  Thanks.

tjr

I am shocked to be looking at a picture of my unlce no one in our family has ever seen.  I can't wait to show my dad.  Thanks for the help you all have given.

THANKS SO VERY MUCH.

tjr

Hi tjr,
 
I won't be going up to Anglesey this weekend as we are forecast snow,however I will go and take some pictures for you as soon as I can(it will be by mid April).
 
As I said in my first post I am working on a Roll of Honour of all USAAF servicemen who died in accidents in Wales and it is my intention to do a short biography of each man. If there is anything you could tell me about your uncle that could be used in the Roll it would be much appreciated.
 
If you prefer to email me my address is...
gmc.cckw@trucks.wanadoo.co.uk
 
Best Regards,
 
Matt.   

This whole journey is unbelievable.  I just went through that wonderful book about the 356th Fighter Group, and I found a number of other pictures of my uncle as well as a photo of his plane.  My father and aunt are not going to believe this.  Dad was moved by the other pictures.  These are fantastic.

tim rensch