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Archive Report: US Forces
1941 - 1945

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via Helpdesk
USAAF Crest
10.04.1944 343rd Fighter Squadron 55th Fighter group P-38J 42-67866 CY-B 1st Lt. Piscitelli

Operation: Droop Snoot

Date: 10th April 1944 (Monday)

Unit: No. 343rd Fighter Squadron 55th Fighter group

Type: P38J Lightning

Serial: 42-67866

Code: CY-B

Base: Nuthampstead

Location: near Coullommiers Airfield France

Pilot: 1st Lt Anthony L. Piscitelli O-753724 USAAF Age 26. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

"On April 10th 1944, from 20,000 feet altitude, north east of the field, Col. Jenkins, Lt. Piscitelli and myself went into a steep spiral down to the deck. We approached the field from the north east, Col. Jenkins preceding us into the target, Lt. Piscitelli and myself flying almost line abreast. At the edge of the field I noticed intense anti-aircraft fire originating at the base of some hangars to our left.

We were flying at zero altitude. Lt. Piscitelli caught fire in his right engine. Half way across the field he was still on fire and still flying at zero altitude. I strafed and observed no aircraft in the hangars, or on the ground. I lost contact with Lt. Piscitelli though I observed black smoke behind me and to the left."

Burial details:

1st Lt Anthony L. Piscitelli. Epinal American Military Cemetery. Plot A, Row 35, Grave 29. Next of kin details not available - are you able to assist?

Researched by Michel Beckers for Aircrew Remembered November 2015. Lt. Piscitelli photo courtesy John Stewart, grave photo courtesy Andy Anderson - other Michel Beckers collection.

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Acknowledgments: Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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Last Modified: 28 March 2021, 19:04

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