Archive Report: US Forces 1941 - 1945Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
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Operation: Marshalling yards and Rhine rail bridges Germany
Date: 13th January 1945 (Saturday)
Unit: No. 369th Fighter squadron 359th Fighter Group
Type: Mustang P51K
Serial: 44-11686
Code: IV-N
Base: East Wretham
Location: crashed near Ashill airbase, near Watton in Norfolk England
Pilot: Capt. Karl K. Shearer O-693417 USAAF Age 23. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Crashed and was KIA after taking-off into low lying, ice-laden cloud. No further details, we invite others to contribute to this loss page.
Burial details:
Capt. Karl K. Shearer. Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial England. Plot C. Row 2. Grave 28. Born on the 23rd June 1921. Entered service from Ohio. He served in the 453rd Bomb Group completing his tour and then volunteered to serve another tour in fighters the 369th Fighter Squadron of the 359th Fighter Group in P-51 Mustangs. No further details - are you able to assist?
Researched Michel Beckers for Aircrew Remembered October 2016. With thanks to James Godfrey, Howard McLean for various photographs. Others from the collection of Michel Beckers.
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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