Strana 42
P-51D-5, 44-13298, Capt. Fredie F. Ohr, 2nd FS, 52nd FG,
15th AF, Madna, Italy, Autumn 1944
P-51D-20, 44-72570, Lt. Ralph S. Gardner/2nd Lt. Chester Jatczak,
457th FS, 506th FG, 20th AF, Iwojima, June/July 1945
The 52nd Pursuit Squadron, known after May
1942 as the 52nd Fighter Group, was established
in January 1941 at Selfridge Field in Michigan.
Initial training was undertaken on the P-39 and
was followed by a move to Northern Ireland in
the summer of 1942, where the unit continued
training on Spitfires, and this was in turn
followed by a brief combat tour over western
Europe under the command of the 8th AF.
By November 1942, the entire unit was
transferred to northern Africa. After arrival
there, combat operations were undertaken
through north Africa, Sicily and Italy while
still flying Spitfires, but this time under
the leadership of the 12th AF. In April 1944,
the long awaited change to the Mustang arrived,
along with a change in mission assignment
and location under the 15th AF, tasking the
52nd FG with escort duties of this Army Air
Force’s strategic bombers. The aircraft flown by
Freddie Ohr, an American ace of Korean origin,
was as it was delivered from the manufacturing
facility. The red nose and yellow rear fuselage
distinguished aircraft of the 52nd FG and the
yellow wing bands were reserved for aircraft of
the 15th AF.
This aircraft was shared by Ralph Gardner
and Chet Jatczak, named Fighting Lady on
port side and later renamed to Broadway Gal
with inscription on the nose. For Chet Jatczak
this was Broadway Gal plane No.2, as he flew
No.538 also named Broadway Gal previously
in June and early July. The aircraft No.538 shot
down near Suzuka on July 16, 1945, while being
flown by Capt. John Benbow during the strafing
of airfields in Nagoya area. He became most
probably a victim of Maj. Yohei Hinoki flying
a Ki-100. The Broadway Gal inscription style is
not known. The original squadron color were
green stripes on the tail, replaced by solid green
paint after the squadron entered the operation
for better visibility.
KITS 01/2025
INFO Eduard42
January 2025