Ian White
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August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
Wish to make contact with former scout force pilots that may have know whereabouts, if still living, of Floyd Taylor. Taylor was 355th FG and attached to 1st Scout Force in August 1944. Flew the Mission to Merkwiller, and general Alsace-Strasbourg area that day. Suffered engine fire and failure south of Merkwiller target area, 1430 hrs, and headed towards Switzerland. Bailed out near Town of Belfort, evaded and escaped across into Switzerland. Retuned to 355th and assume the scout force September 1944. Wish to make contact with him or anyone that knew him, also any individuals that may have been part of that day's scouting mission; records show eight P-51's flew as weather scouts that day under call sign Buckeye.
Any help appreciate to complete my research into this mission!
Regards Ian
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Pyker
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RE: August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
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Ian, In the first instance contact Dick Atkins, author of the book on the Scouting Force and mainstay of the Scouting Force Association. Dick is at: dick8af@flash.net He is also in contact with the 355th FG Association as they were the first regular unit to host the experimental scouting force. Peter
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Ian White
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RE: August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
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Hello Peter. Thanks for suggestion, will Email Dick Atkins and see if and how he might be able to assist me!
Cheers Ian
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airwar
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RE: August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
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3-2-1945,P-51D,44-13686,Scouting Force 1,Lt.J.J.Allen,crashplace;Nieuw Schoonebeek,Holland
Info and MACR wanted
regards Jaap Vermeer
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PJP51
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RE: August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
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Pyker
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RE: August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
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Sorry about the Scouts part of the site being down for the time being - I am trying to re-work it so that it is searchable in the same way as the rest of the site. For the moment though, Lt. John J Allen was an ex 306th Bomb Group pilot who volunteered for the Scouting Force. He has three "incidents" logged against his name, all in the same P-51 - quite a coincidence. These are: Take off accident due to engine failure on 11 October 1944 in 44-13686 5E-N at Honington. Take off accident due to engine failure on 17 October 1944 in 44-13686 5E-N at Honington and the final one- KIA. Bailed out of 44-13686 having once again suffered engine failure (near Hengelo, NL). The code for 44-13686 on this mission is given as 5Y-N. Third time unlucky in this case! As you say PJP51 the MACR is 12173 and I guess that Dick Atkins should have a copy - see message higher up the page for his email.
post edited by Pyker -
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Pyker
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RE: August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
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Seeing as the Scouts' site is down at the moment, here is a photo of Lt. Allen - he is fourth from the right hand side in the back row. Peter
Attached Image(s)
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drgondog
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RE: August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
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Ian - Floyd Taylor was originally assigned to 354FS at 355th FG and volunteered along with Sumner Williams and James Kilmer to join the Experimental Scouting Force (there was no 1SF until after the Experimental Scout Force under Peaslee was deemed a succes.
Floyd Taylor returned to Steeple Morden in September and was re-assigned to 2AD HQ, can't remember his new job but did not involve combat ops. He passed away some time ago, I believe, but will check.
Regards,
Bill Marshall
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Detkeywest
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RE: August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
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Hello Ian,
I'm a french history teacher living east of France. I've identified Flyod Taylor crash site near Belfort for several years now. I've met eye-witnesses of the crash and could tell you what happened just after. Flyod sadly passed away for a long time now but i could have a little contact with his son ... Just one letter.
Please feel free to contact me by PM to ask questions.
I' m really happy to read about someone interesting by this crash.
Stephane Muret
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Ian White
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RE: August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
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Thank you Stephane, I have sent a PM message for you
Regards Ian W
Ian White - 1st VP 2012-2013, 305th BGMA Hon. Life Associate, UK-European Contact and 305th BGMA Historian
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Detkeywest
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RE: August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
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Ian,
I don't received your PM. I've send one, don't know if you could read it ?
Stephane Muret
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Ian White
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RE: August 3rd 1944 Merkwiller Mission
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Hello Stephane I recvd your PM and have replied, but appears there is a problem in transmitting-receiving between us! You can email me sheila.roy@ntlworld.com I am very interested in expanding the information I have found concerning Floyd K. Taylor and his mission of August 3rd 1944. Although I have discovered through wartime documents some of his story, it only covers the moments immediately at the point of his aircraft having engine failure and catching fire. I do not know what happened once he landed in his parachute, said to be 5 miles from Town of Belfort. His aircraft was witnessed to crash in nose dive into dense wooded area near to Belfort. (Witnessed by fellow Scout Force Pilots Lt. Richard Dillon and Capt Earl N. Thomas. Dillon escorted Taylor's crippled P-51 for several minutes until Taylor could fly no more and elected to jump to safety. Anyway, I would welcome your contact, so I can add whatever information you have on Taylors story. I'll likewise share what little I have discovered. Await your contact. Thanks in advance Ian White
Ian White - 1st VP 2012-2013, 305th BGMA Hon. Life Associate, UK-European Contact and 305th BGMA Historian
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