Ray Burwell  356th FG

After spending six weeks of training in the P-47 at Brunning Nebraska, I was sent overseas and assigned to the 360th FS, 356th Fighter Group.

We flew out of Martlesham Heath RAF station just outside of Ipswich England. I flew 305 combat hours (69 missions) in the P47 Thunderbolt and P51 Mustang.

I achieved the rank of Captain at 22 years of age. and was one of the few pilots to destroy or damage a Me 262 German Jet in the air

One experience that must be mentioned is a flight on 17 Sept 1944 in support of the Holland Invasion. Our mission was to fly at 2000 ft. on the path the C-47s pulling gliders (all full of Airborne Troops) were to fly.

Upon seeing flak bursts from the ground, our mission was to dive on the gun emplacements, drop bombs and strafe what targets we saw.  In the excitement of the moment I forgot to drop the bombs on the gun emplacement in my sights, but strafed only with my 8 50 caliber machine guns.

Back              Next