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| USAAF 5th AF 475th FG 431st FS  E. Frazier August 1943 |
Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number unknown. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38 model and serial number unknown. This aircraft was likely a P-38F, P-38G or P-38H. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 431st Fighter Squadron (431st FS) "Hades". No known nickname or nose art. Wartime History On August 16, 1943, took off from Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Orville Blythe as one of twelve P-38s from 431st Fighter Squadron (431st FS) "Hades" on a mission to escort 24 C-47s transporting aviation fuel and supplies to Tsili-Tsili Airfield and Marilinan Airfield. The escort also included 32 P-47D Thunderbolts from 340th Fighter Squadron (340th FS) and 341st Fighter Squadron (341st FS) on the first the combat mission of the Thunderbolt in New Guinea. The escort was much stronger after the loss of two transports shot down by Ki-43 Oscars over Tsili Tsili the previous day on August 15, 1943. All 24 C-47 transports landed safely at Tsili Tsili Airfield. While unloading was underway, a Japanese air raid consisting of 33 Ki-43 Oscars and 3 Ki-51 Sonias from Wewak arrived over the area. Both U.S. fighter squadrons became involved in separate dog fights with the Ki-43 Oscars and numerous claims were made by both sides. A P-47D pilot Leighton was lost and P-38 piloted by Blythe was damaged and landed at Tsili Tsili Airfield. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. The Japanese report losing two pilots. American pilots claimed 15 aerial victories (340th Squadron: 1, 341st Squadron: 2 and 431st Squadron: 12). Memorials Orville Blythe passed away November 18, 2002 in Santa Clara, CA. His wife Vera Blythe died in 2006. Reference NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Orville Blythe 475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation - 431st Hades Fighter Squadron, 2nd Lieutenants: Orville Blythe Saga Of Tsili Tsili vol. II by Everette Frazier (photo) Thanks to Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute
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