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Post by svenfromsweden on Sept 20, 2015 8:23:34 GMT -5
I share with you some rare pictures (in color and w/b) of fighters Lockheed P-38 Lightnings captured and with German and Italian markings during World War II. Does anyone know how many were captured and how they came to Europe once they have been used in the Pacific? To view the photos visit the link below: aviacaoemfloripa.blogspot.com.br/2011/02/p-38-lightning-capturados.htmlBest Regards.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 20, 2015 13:11:21 GMT -5
At least one was delivered to the Germans by a US pilot who defected with it. We would have traded Martin Borman and three other high ranking Nazi captives to get him back but we weren't that stupid back then!
The lightning was very popular in Europe and fairly common. It had great power, long range and unlike the Mustang which was often mistaken as an ME 109 was easy to identify.
It also served as a land based fighter in the Pacific and was used in the intercept mission to kill Yamamoto.
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stuka
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Post by stuka on Sept 20, 2015 13:36:05 GMT -5
Why did the US pilot defect?
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 20, 2015 22:24:25 GMT -5
The pilot (Martin J Monti) was from a wealthy family in the US and raised in a passionately anti communist and anti semetic family. His mother was German. As such he had strong sympathies for the Nazi cause. Initially he was treated as a normal POW but later was asked to do propaganda radio broadcasts which he did. After the war he was charged with 21 counts of treason. He was imprisoned in Leavenworth. He was released and lead an uneventful life until his death in 2000 at 79 years old.
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stuka
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Post by stuka on Sept 21, 2015 1:49:22 GMT -5
Thats interesting
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 21, 2015 13:01:25 GMT -5
I have no idea why I remember these things but in a conflict as large as WW2 there are thousands upon thousands of odd stories.
On a side note, did no one got the joke about the prisoner swap?
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Post by scvngr on Sept 22, 2015 2:29:53 GMT -5
So you're saying it wasn't Steve McQueen?
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