WIX Archives
Re: Spitfire MkV - W3761 PS
Posted by Paul McMillan on Sat Jan 05, 2002 09:10:37 AM
In reply top Re: Spitfire MkV - W3761 posted by Paul McMillan on Sat Jan 05, 2002 08:44:47 AM
You are causing me to raid the library now....
Another Canadian link!
F/O Michael George Hurschell McPharlin was an American
RCAF No. C1530; USSAF Nos. 0-885107;89764
"Wee Michael" McPharlin (a man of small statue) was born on 13th June 1913 in Blue Island, Illinois, he joined the RCAF on 2 June 1940, but was discharged on 17th July and transferred to the RAF. After training he was posted from 56 OTU to 71 Sqn intitally, but then moved to 403 sqn RCAF for about 6 months, he then returned to 71 Sqn
I should have guessed! 71 sqn was an Eagle Sqn!
By early 1942 he was a P/O in 71 Sqn and was shot down and picked up safely in the Dieppe Raid. Following amalgamation of the Egle sqns into the USAAF ins Sept 1942 to form the 4th Fighter Group he was assigned to 334th Fighter Squadron. He was subsequently posted to the 339th Fighter Group as Major, but preferred to fly with his old unit whenever possible. On D-Day 6th June 1944 he flew over France with the 334th in P-51B Mustang 6N-Z. He was last heard whilst over Dreux, reporting that the left magneto was out, his engine was running rough and he was aborting the mission; he was never seen again.
He finished the war with 1 and 4 shared destroyed, 1 probable, 3 damaged annd 1 destroyed on the water.
Sorry no info on P/O Fiedorczuk
Sources: Shore: Aces High and Aces High Vol 2