Over the decades, this photo has appeared in numerous publications on the P-51 and Air Power in World War II. It shows the Mustang’s clean lines, and has helped shape how we see this aircraft and the role that it and its pilots played in World War II.
This Mustang (serial number 42-106950) was assigned to the 354th Fighter Squadron, Eighth Air Force. Several pilots flew this aircraft during the war under the names “Man o’ War” and “Iowa Beaut”. The kill markings below the cockpit were for the aircraft, not necessarily the specific pilot. It is unknown who was flying the day this photo was taken.
The Eighth Air Force performed many duties in the European Theater of Operations. Chief among them was strategic bombing of major enemy targets. Its assigned fighter squadrons were grouped into the VIII Fighter Command, which flew both tactical and strategic escort missions for medium and heavy bomber formations of the USAAF and RAF.
On 11 September 1944, this aircraft, flown by Captain Kevin G. Rafferty, was assigned to escort duty on Eighth Air Force mission 623. According to the pertinent section of the mission summary:
“3. 396 B-24s are dispatched to hit an engine factory at Hannover (88), oil refineries at Misburg (87) and Magdeburg (33) and an ordnance depot at Magdeburg (27); targets of opportunity hit are Magdeburg (70), Stendal (45), Diepholz (9) and 3 others; they claim 4-8-1 aircraft; 10 B-24s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 179 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 13 WIA and 102 MIA.
Escort is provided by 164 P-38s and P-51s; they claim 45-5-10 aircraft in the air and 12-0-16 on the ground; 10 P-51s are lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 7 damaged; 14 pilots are MIA.”
Captain Rafferty’s squadron was attached to escort duty with the B-24s that hit Magdeburg that day. On the return trip from the target, he was likely hit by Flak near Marburg. Missing Aircraft Crew Report 44-8676 was subsequently filed. Another pilot in the 355th wrote in the report:
“At about 1225 in the vicinity of Marburg Red Flight bounced at least 2-Me109’s. In the break Captain Rafferty fell into number Four position. Red Flight chased the 109s over Marburg in trail. WR-P was flying nearly abreast of me and when my ship was hit I broke left while WR-P broke right. That was the last time that I saw him. I passed a P-51 headed East later but couldn’t identify due to the fuselage being covered with oil. I heard a P-51 pilot calling for assistance but he didn’t identify himself or gave location. I never saw him.”
Captain Kevin Rafferty, USAAF, hailed from Fairfield County, Connecticutt, and was 29 years old at the time of his death. He had only been overseas a few months when his aircraft went missing, and is buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupre, Belgium. He is also commemorated on the Steeple Morden 355th Fighter Group War Memorial , United Kingdom.
Never forget, Mark
USAAF Photo
Note: MACR 44-8676 is on microfilm file at the USAF Historical Support Division.