Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 23, 2011 0:39:52 GMT 12
In the book Mates and Mayham, Alf Voss who was the Intelligence officer for the 21st Battalion, NZ Corps, wrote that while he was at Cassino the CO of the 723rd (Texan) Tank Battalion allowed him to go up in a US Stinson to look at the town from above.
While they were flying around, the Mustang patrol above the town was in change over and he wrote that one of the Mustangs came straight at them in the Stinson. The Stinson pilot dove from 3000 feet down to the deck, and Alf said they were so low flying down Route Six that he could see the drivers in the trucks were negroes. The Mustang had stuck with them though, he wrote, "The Mustang followed us down and flew past, the pilot waving and, I would imagine, grinning from ear to ear. I met him later, he was a Kiwi. He got busted down to transport for his antics that day."
A great story, and I am curious about the Kiwi Mustang pilot. Were there any RAF Mustang squadrons operating over Cassino? I know they had Spitfires overhead, i have talked with a few Spitfire pilots who flew over the battle there. But I have not yet encountered information on RAF Mustangs providing cover there.
So I am curious as to whether this kiwi was flying with an American or SAAF unit perhaps.
I think Alf Voss might be still alive, my Great Uncle ted served with him and not too long ago he reckoned Alf was still in the land of the living. Does anyone know him?
While they were flying around, the Mustang patrol above the town was in change over and he wrote that one of the Mustangs came straight at them in the Stinson. The Stinson pilot dove from 3000 feet down to the deck, and Alf said they were so low flying down Route Six that he could see the drivers in the trucks were negroes. The Mustang had stuck with them though, he wrote, "The Mustang followed us down and flew past, the pilot waving and, I would imagine, grinning from ear to ear. I met him later, he was a Kiwi. He got busted down to transport for his antics that day."
A great story, and I am curious about the Kiwi Mustang pilot. Were there any RAF Mustang squadrons operating over Cassino? I know they had Spitfires overhead, i have talked with a few Spitfire pilots who flew over the battle there. But I have not yet encountered information on RAF Mustangs providing cover there.
So I am curious as to whether this kiwi was flying with an American or SAAF unit perhaps.
I think Alf Voss might be still alive, my Great Uncle ted served with him and not too long ago he reckoned Alf was still in the land of the living. Does anyone know him?
