22 June 2021 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

A Supermarine Spitfire Vc 'Tropical' JK707 MX-P serving with 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group operated by 12th USAAF. The regular pilot was 1st.Lt. Carroll A. Prybylo, but when lost it was flown by Capt. Virgil Cephus Fields, Jr.

Information

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[BEAR]

Never loan your gear! You won't get it back in the same condition.
Captain was probably "Hotdogging" over the invasion beaches and was shot down by friendly fire. IMHO.

BEAR

[Tom in N.J.]

Both the USAAF's 31st and 52nd Fighter Groups flew Spitfires in the 8th. 12th, and 15 AAFs from 1942 to 1944. They flew combat missions in England, North Africa, and Italy. Transitioned to P-51s in 1944.

[browningautorifle]

Here's another pic sort of confirming Bear's ideas... Spitfire Mk Vc trop MX-P JK707 307th Fighter Squadron shot down by US Navy fire off Salerno Italy 1943 | World War Photos

[BEAR]

Interesting! Simply a guess on my part, although I've known of the picture for years. Salerno was famous for shooting down allied aircraft, not even the 82nd jump aircraft escaped unscathed.
Really unfair for me to say "Hotdogging". The ships were constantly bombed by the Luftwaffe, so chances are good that he was mixed up in a dogfight and was just unlucky.

BEAR

[browningautorifle]

Salerno was famous for shooting down allied aircraft

The markings used on "Overlord" were simply to end this issue. The bold and quite over the top black and white stripes proved allied air superiority and the lack of need of concealment on the ground by then. Made quick ident easier too...