Warbird Information Exchange

Hi Mark Allen - I am a new member of Warbirds - fantastic photos of 405th Fighter Squadron 371st Fighter Group and thank you for sharing ! Would seem likely they were all of the same flight ? From the number of different missions painted on their planes being of about the same numbers would seem they were original pilots ?

I grew up at Bisterne, England their ALG from March - end June 1944, and as a youth my brothers and I found artifacts from their stay - like 4 live 0.5 bullets clipped together in the 1970's!
Do you have more information on Lt. Dinwiddie ? I saw on the eBay there was a sale of his WWII papers back in July 2017 but no readable images. Was he one of the original 371st pilots at Bisterne ?
I recently managed to buy a copy of the 371st FG book published in 1946 and looked up the pilots in your photos - good to learn they all made it through WWII.

Do you know when and where these photos were taken ?
From what I can work out it looks like your color photos were taken during August 1944 - at their A-6 Beuzeville ALG in Normandy France. Has to be after the end of June because the planes only have invasion stripes under the wings. I read the invasion stripes on all the planes were removed from the top of the wings at the end of June, and were removed completely by order by 25th August - 10th September.
There are several movie films including two color ones of the 371st whilst at A-6, in one dated 28th June the planes still have full invasion stripes. The 371st moved to A-6 from Bisterne as a permanent base between 21st and 23rd June. The trees in the background of your photos fit for A-6 in comparison with the movies and stills of A-6.

I bought two b&w 371st FG photo off eBay recently but they are from later on in 1945. Can share if of interest.

thanks
Matt

I need to correct myself below -
looks like the photos were taken sometime between June 28th (as there is film of 371st with complete invasion stripes) and August 25/10th September 1944 (as I read stripes on wings were ordered to be removed (and all invasion stripes assume on fuselage, ordered to be removed by end of 1944). Apparently some units started removing upper wing stripes in late June - because they made the aircraft easy targets for the enemy.
So likely photos taken in July or August 1944 at A-6 Beuzeville. The 371st was stationed at A-6 between 21st June and 18th September.

Matt

Wow..........

What a find. Love the the shark-mouth markings!

What I find most interesting in these colour shots is the uniforms/flight gear, so rare to see these variations in colour and close-up.

They all appear to have RAF C helmets and MkVIII goggles...?

Just found this blog and one of the pictures referenced was my father Lt A Arno, should be D. Arno. The nose art has "Peg-O-My-Heart" after my mother Peggy.
Unfortunately none of the pictures were available to view.
Any suggestions on how I might access?
Thanks for any help.
Fred

Welcome aboard Fred,

I would try contacting Mark directly.

Good luck,
Phil

_________________
A man's got to know his limitations.

Greetings Fred, here's your dad
These photos belong to you more than me. And your welcome to have them anytime. The flickr link below has the rest of the photos.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/142209609 ... 5912022214
Welcome aboard and a great thanks to your father's service.

Mark

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

You're first class all the way Mark.

Welcome to WIX Fred. Please accept my sincerest appreciation for your father's service and sacrifice as well as that of your mother.

You guys are all first class. I had no idea I would get such a quick response.
These pictures of my father are an unbelievable thrill. My sons and brothers are just as thrilled. I've seen a picture or two that Dad had but with nowhere near the clarity that these have.

Mark, I can't thank you enough for passing these on. It means a great deal.

Fred

https://flic.kr/p/2egYJb4

That is this do hickey sticking out the side, a mirror ?

Phil

_________________
A man's got to know his limitations.

Hello there, I've just come across this board and was wondering whether you still have a working link to the pictures that were previously posted here?

Thanks!

Yes indeed, I'll reload them again.

Mark

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Mark, That would be great.

Thank you!
Andrew

Here ya go ...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/142209609 ... 9101298037

_________________
“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Clearly I missed this one the first time around.
WOW!
Thanks for reposting those fantastic photos Mark.

Andy

Thanks so much, Mark! What a wonderful study in wear and tear for us modelers. Love the yin and yang on the wheel cover.