7 mai 1944: 15th AAF bombing on Bucharest, live photos

And below Lt. Nelson from 307sq,31FG ( claimed one Bf-109 on 7th may'44) with his P-51 B MX-F "DorothyIV". (photo crew chief Sgt.Ed Henry).

This post has been edited by Cantacuzino on February 15, 2005 10:11 am

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On 7th may ’44 the Romanian 2nd FG took of at 10.20 am with 22 IAR 81C to intercept the American bombers.
Two victories were claimed by Sgt.Taflan Eugen and Sgt. Ionita Vasile.
The 2th FG lost some planes:
IAR 81C nr 401 pilot Sgt Cojocaru Petre wounded force landed at Crevedia village.
IAR 81 C nr 423 pilot Taflan Eugen had landed on Popesti Leordeni wounded in batlle was interned in “Queen Elisabeth” hospital.
IAR 81C nr 409 and IAR 81C nr 421 (pilot Lt Mociornita) landed at Pipera airfield both with shell holes in fuselage and engine.
IAR 81C flown by Cpt.Goga Grigore after shooting down one B-24 ( witnessed from the ground) was himself shot down by Mustangs at north of Ploesti ( source IAR 80-Vanatorul Necunoscut -Antoniu and Cicos).

Below the picture of Cpt.Goga Grigore hero grave from “Cimitirul Eroilor Ploesti “ ( courtesy Dan Melinte)

This post has been edited by Cantacuzino on February 15, 2005 10:38 am

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Also on 7th may, romanian 6th FG took off at 10.15 am, from Popesti Leordeni airfield with 29 IAR 81C. They attacked the bombers near Bucharest at 7000m or 8000m and claimed 2 victories and one probable with out any loose from 6thFG.

On that day Sgt.Chera Dumitru with IAR 80M ( mauser) nr 97 claimed one B-24 shot down.
( source IAR 80 -Vanatorul necunoscut )

Dan.

This post has been edited by Cantacuzino on February 15, 2005 01:53 pm

Fratello, Dan and all

Do you have more photos on Bucharest bombing( calea Grivzei) and others would be great if they could be posted

Thanks
Alex

Additionally, a pilot from Gr. 5 vân. also claimed a four-engine bomber on May 7, 1944.

Gen. Dénes

Mr. Canatacuzino (Dan) tkank you for more additional info about Bucharest's bombing on 7 may 1944

Fratello

Bellow 1st Bob Goebel fro, USAAF 308th Ftr Sqd ,31st Ftr Grp he shot down on June 23,1944 1 ARR BF-109 on August 18,1944 he shot down 3 more BF-109 near Ploesti .

Capt Bob Goebel 10th confirmed victory was on Aug 22,1944 over Troppau Austria. His 11th and final victory was on August 28,1944 when he shot down a BF-109 near Vienna

Bob went on Reserve status at the end of the war and complete degree of physics on GI bill in time to return to active for Korea war .Lt.Col. Bob Goebel retired from the AF in 1966 following many years of service with NASA Manned Spaced Program.

Bob can not recall today on whether the 3 x ME-109 shot down on August 18,1944 near Ploesti were ARR or Luftwaffe or both ,perhaps Denes ,Victor and Dan can review the records for him

Thanks

Alex

Courtesy : Lt Col. Bob Goebel ,Racine ,Wisconsin

This post has been edited by alexkdl on February 15, 2005 11:23 pm

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Here is again Bob on a painting to comemorate his WWII service...note silver star was awarded for the 3 air kills on the same mission near Ploesti

Alex

This post has been edited by alexkdl on February 15, 2005 11:39 pm

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Here is an other photo of the victorious Bob during being stationed in Italy

Alex

Courtesy: Bob

This post has been edited by alexkdl on February 16, 2005 12:00 am

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Dan, thanks for posting the wonderful photos on the P-51 pilots as well JEWBOY and the grave cite of the ARR Captain....its a shame that the grave of Rumanian hero pilot is kept in such a bad state and photo was removed from the stone cross......

Here is a photo of Bob along with Bud, Chuck Yeager, Gen William Anders ( APOLLO 8) Gen.Frank Borman ......hes second from the right rear raw standing
from Bud

Alex



This post has been edited by alexkdl on February 16, 2005 08:52 am

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An an other photo of Bob with Bud and Col. Blackless ( OLD CRAW )

Al

This post has been edited by alexkdl on February 16, 2005 08:53 am

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from my understanding the aerial photo bellow was taken taken on May 1944....it can be clearly seen on the left side of the photo than railway and trains are hit......can anyone identify where exactly in or near Boucharest was it taken ?

Alex

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His victories for 18 august were probably Luftwaffe Bf-109. On that day his squadron meet the enemy est of Bucharest defended by germans from Cioara Doicesti airfield. The romanian on 18 august were fighting at north of Ploesti (9thFG) and west of Bucuresti ( 7thFG).

Dan.

PS: Alex i think you are out of the topic started by Fratello. Do you know if Goebel fight on 7th may '44 ?

The 15th AAF bombing over Bucharest on 7 may 1944 was between 10,49 and 12,06 A.M.

Bob Goebel was not active in May ver Rumania ,as his 1st air kill was over Austria Wallersdorf on May 29,1944 .

Alex