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| SAAF No. 2 Squadron Former Assignments USAAF USAF   U.S. Army January 1952 |
Pilot 2nd Lt. Frank J. Grobler (survived) Johannesburg, South Africa Crashed November 13, 1951 Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA) in Dallas, Texas. Constructors Number 124-44505. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as a P-51D-25-NT Mustang serial number 44-84649. On September 18, 1947 transfered to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and redesignated F-51D Mustang. Converted into a photographic reconnaissance RF-51D Mustang. During 1950, purchased by the South African Air Force (SAAF) as RF-51D Mustang serial number 365. No known nickname or nose art. Assigned to No. 2 Squadron (South African) "Flying Cheetahs" attached to the U.S. Air Force (USAF), 18th Fighter Bomber Wing (18th FBW) and operated from Hoengsong Airfield (K-46). Mission History On November 13, 1951 took off from Hoengsong Airfield (K-46) piloted by 2nd Lt. Frank J. Grobler leading a close support mission against Communist infantry dug in along a ridge west of Ch'ŏrwŏn (Ch’orwon) north of the 38th parallel De Militarized Zone (DMZ). Ahead of the Mustangs, a T-6D Mosquito had fired a white smoke rocket to mark the target, but it fell too far to the west. Grobler made a strafing run to mark the proper area. Pulling away, he was hit by anti-aircraft fire that damaged the elevators and made the control column unsable. Using only his ailerons, Grobler turned south, escorted by his wingman, Cliff Collins while the rest of the formation completed their attack runs. Turning for base, he lost aileron control and bailed out and landed unhurt while his Mustang crashed into a tall hill and caught fire. Overhead, the formation orbited his location to await rescue. Rescue Within five to ten minutes after landing, Bell H-13 Sioux helicopter pilot 1st Lt. Harry W. Townsend from U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning" landed to rescue him and flew back to the divisional airfield. On the ground, the pair traded wings and Townsend was made an honorary member of No. 2 Squadron (South African). The pair were photographed together shaking hands and standing together. Three days later, he was flown aboard a liaison plane back to his squadron at Hoengsong Airfield (K-46). Relatives Piet Grobler (father) Frank Grobler (son) References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-51D-25-NT Mustang 44-84649 "84649 (2nd SAAF Sq) shot down by AAA Nov 13, 1951. Pilot bailed out." Korean War Project - 2nd South Africa Air Force - ( w/18th FB wing) Korean War Air Loss Database by Date [PDF] (PDF page 78) "Grobler, Frank J. / SAAF / 2Lt / RSC / 51-11-13 / RF-51D / 44-84649 / 2 SAAF Sq / SAAF" News "Pilot Downed 5 Minutes Freed by Helicopter" by Sgt Jim Gilbert News "Two S.A. pilots rescued after bailing out over Korea" Alabama Tribune "Capital Spotlight" May 16, 1952 page 8 "Lieut. Harry Townsend, who is flying helicopters and liaison planes for headquarters Ninth Corps." South Africa's Flying Cheetahs in Korea (1991) by Dermot Moore & Peter Bagshawe pages 134-135, 139, 276 (Pages 134-135) "[November 13, 1951] It was after a close support mission that Frank Grobler had an unusual experience while leading a strike against communist infantry dug in along a ridge west of Ch’orwon. A [T-6D] Mosquito controller had placed a white smoke rocket to mark the target, but it fell too far to the west and Frank decided that he would indicate the target to the rest of the flight by means of a strafing run. Pulling away from the attack, he found that the enemy’s ground fire had caused the Mustang’s control column to jam in a central position and the elevators were unusable. He still had aileron control so he orbited south of the target with his No. 2 Cliff Collins, until the other pilots had completed their attack. While attempting to turn for base he lost aileron control and was forced to bale out over friendly territory. His flight patrolled above him for ten minutes until a helicopter from an army forward airstrip picked him up. He was returned to K-46 [air base] three days later in a liaison aircraft." Ciel de Gloire - Squadron 2 - SAAF "Flying Cheetahs" Thanks to Edward Rogers for research and information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated February 1, 2024 |
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