Pretty cool pic of a P-47 strafing run

quote:

---

May 21, 1944:
American P-47 Thunderbolt piloted by 1/Lt. Raymond M. Walsh, Fort Myers, Florida of the 513th Fighter Squadron, 406th Fighter Group is silhouetted against the exploding ammunition truck he just strafed in Belgium.

The image was taken by his wingman Lt. Willie T. Whitman of Montgomery, Alabama, using his gun camera in the following P-47.

About 6 to 8 miles SW of town of Malmedy, Belgium (in vicinity of coordinates 5020 N-0610w), two freight trains were sighted through a break in the overcast.
1st Lt. R. Walsh, leader of Green Flight, went down through the clouds and fired at the lead locomotive of the first train which was drawing to a stop. Strikes were seen entering the boiler and the locomotive blew up.
Lt. James R. Hoskins, leader of the 2nd element of Green Flight, attacked a locomotive which was pushing the first train. This locomotive also disintegrated when hit.
Lt. Willie T. Whitman, who was flying on Lt. Hoskins' wing, attacked the locomotive pulling the second train and destroyed it. Only inaccurate small arms fire was observed.

The 513th Squadron received nationwide recognition when Capt. R. M. Walsh (made Capt. June 7 1944) appeared over the British Broadcasting Company on June 19th and explained how he became the first American pilot to shoot down a pilotless aircraft. It occurred when he was returning from a mission and encountered the V1 "Flying Bomb" off the south coast of England near Brighton. See less

---