*** Lockheed P-38J-5-LO #42-67192 ***
back to SGLO list numbers for 50x50mi areaSunday 9th of April, Rex was in his P-38, escorting B-24 bombers back from a mission
to bomb an aircraft plant in northern Germany
He was only 12 minutes from the coast of Holland and the relative safety
of the North Sea when his propellers ran away
Mechanical failure, bailed out between Molkwerum and Schuilenburg, about 1.5 mi S of Hindeloopen
and landed near farm "De Kamp" of Tjitte Folkertsma
With help of the locals he disappeared over the railroad in the reed of the Haanmeer [polder]
Soon arrived also "de Grünen", mostly fanatic Nazi's from Leeuwarden
The whole farm was searched but nothing was found
The lifeboat "C.A. den Tex" only found a gas tank and pieces of rubber
Althrough the IJsselmeer is very shallow at that point, the Lightning was totally gone
O-25514 - 1st Lt. - Fighter Pilot - Rexford Herbert Dettre Jr. - Inglewood, CA - POW - Stalag Luft 3
born 21 Mar 1920, Philadelphia, PA – died 11 Mar 2004, Columbia, Mississippi - Age 83
SGLO - T3576
|
|---|
This page is only a short brief index page
Latest detailed info is always on my 50x50 mi area main page
!!! be aware !!! over 3600 pages long !!!
View or sign My Guestbook 
Any additional info or photo is welcome
(c) Copyright PATS, 2006 - 2023