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| USAAF 13th AF 18th FG 44th FS "Vampire Squadron" |
Pilot 1st Lt. Ralph R. Imberg, O-727471 (MIA / KIA) WA MIA August 1, 1943 MACR 239 Aircraft History Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York as Model H87-B3. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40F-15-CU Warhawk serial number 41-19819. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South Pacific then reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF), 18th Fighter Group (18th FG), 44th Fighter Squadron "Vampire Squadron" (44th FS). No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engine V-1650-1 serial number 41-49101. Weapon serial numbers noted in Missing Air Crew Report 239 (MACR 239). Mission History On August 1, 1943 one of ten P-40s that took off from Fighter 2 Airfield (Kukum) on Guadalcanal on an escort mission for USN SBDs and TBFs bombing Kahili Airfield. Returning, five of the P-40s were running low on fuel and left the formation to land at Segi Airfield instead. Flying at at 1,500' at 170mph, the P-40s were intercepted over Ghizo Island from above and the rear by 25-30 A6M Zeros. The attacking Zeros dove down in three groups, shooting down this P-40 in their first pass, and crippled three others. This P-40 was last seen by Lt. Dreckman, who saw it roll twice at very low altitude above the sea, it was not smoking or on fire and seemed to be intact. The Zeros continued to chase the other P-40s for a few miles then departed. Memorials Imberg was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized on the tablets of the missing at Manila American Cemetery. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40F-15-CU Warhawk 41-19819 "19819 (44th FS, 18th FG) lost Aug 1, 1943, Solomon Islands. MACR 239" Missing Air Crew Report 239 (MACR 239) 13th Fighter Command in World War II page 193 (photo) 194 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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