Wallace H. Cameron, December 2000 Age 80

BEFORE D-DAY We were in England for 6-weeks before flying our first mission, April 21, 19444. This time was spent in becoming acquainted with the P-47. Stateside, all of our flying training had been in aircraft other than the Thunderbolt, primarily the A-24, P-40 and P-39. Shortly before leaving Walterboro, SC for England, we spent several days at Ft. Meyers, Fla. where we all were able to participate in three aerial gunnery missions. I have been told that when we arrived in England their were not enough P-47's for we plus two other Groups needing aircraft. Lt. Col. Bill Bryson our Sq. Commander flipped a coin and we won the P-47. The P-51's went to the other two groups. We were disappointed as we thought we wanted the more glamorous Mustang. It did not take us long to realize that the Jug, with the radial air-cooled engine, had far greater low-altitude ground air support survivability than the Mustang with its liquid cooled engine. Our first mission was led by the Group Commander,Col “Bull” Allison. All 48 airplanes flew a fighter sweep over France, uneventful, a nice afternoon tour over enemy territory, The repercussions of the mission happened upon our return. I learned this only recently (Jan. 2001) from Col. Allison's nephew with whom I was corresponding. According to his information, the mission was scheduled to impress Gen.Brereton from 9th Airforce Hq. Furthermore, it was Allisons first flight in the P-47 as he had to ask his wing man how to raise the landing gear! Upon landing, Col. Allison was met by the General and immediately removed from Command of the 48th Fighter Bomber Group Whether or not this is true, I do know that Col. Allison was transferred to 9th AF. Hq. and we were assigned a new Group Commander. PILOT IN THE DRINK. Before D-day , we were returning from a Sq. mission to Europe. We approached the English channel coast in tight formation, each flight of four tucked below the other with prop close below the tail of the airplane ahead. I was flying below Lt. Reid. As we neared the shore he zipped to the rear passing over my canopy. He had total engine failure and bailed out into the cold water of the English Channel. Thanks to the efficiency of the English Sea-Rescue unit, he was back at Ibsley before night fall, soaking wet but unharmed. SAME PILOT DIFFERENT STORY Lt. Reid was flying my right wing on a Sq. mission into Europe. Low, broken clouds at 800 feet prevented our searching the skies above for enemy aircraft. We had just reached the Normandy coast when an Me-109 zoomed down through a hole in the clouds and shot Lt. Reid off my wing! Pilots behind me saw him bail-out into the French country side. We assumed the he would become a POW, but a month or so after the Invasion, here he came walking into our airstrip. He ,with the help of the French underground, had successfully evaded capture! Some guys have all the luck. In Reids case mostly all bad. However, he and Tony, were the first of our Sq. to be sent back to the USA. ©whcameron2000