The author has been unable to
determine which units to which six of
these pilots were assigned in Africa.
He did discover that one of them,
1st Lt. Brion L. Taylor, formerly of
the 84th FS, crashed and was killed
on 4 May 1943 after taking off from
England for Casablanca, presumably
in a P-38. Another, Taylor’s former
squadron mate 2nd Lt. Oval W. Spiry,
was killed in North Africa on 14 April
1943, but again, no additional details
are available.
Harold Harper was not the only
78th Group pilot to ferry more than
one Lightning to North Africa. For
example, his squadron mate (in
both the 83rd and the 49th) Greg
Gregory also made a second delivery,
in March, before likewise being
reassigned there to the 14th FG.
The 78th FG P-38s and pilots that
transferred to Africa would experience
many adventures, successes, and
tragedies over the coming months.
Twelve of the 55 pilots were killed and
four became prisoners of war. Most of
those who survived their 50-mission32 AIR CLASSICS/August 2022
T
he morning sky on 26 January 1943 was freezing cold as numerous for-
mations comprising 45 Lockheed P-38Gs passed over the remote coun-
tryside near Stony Clough Head on Baxton Fell. The fighters were heading
from Goxhill to the major Lockheed maintenance facility at Langford Lodge
(Base Air Depot 3 — BAD 3) in Northern Ireland. The unusually large number
of fighters was going to Langford Lodge where Lockheed employees and
USAAF crews would fit the fighters with dust filters required by the hostile
climate of North Africa. On the way, the weather began to deteriorate with
heavy clouds and some of the Lightnings tightened formation so they would
not lose sight of each other. Somehow, the unthinkable happened without
warning to two pilots of the 83rd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group.
P-38G-10-LO USAAF 42-12905 was struck from the rear by P-38G-10-LO
42-12928 being piloted by 2nd Lt. Stephan L. White. Shedding tail booms
and other parts, 905 rolled to the right and plunged vertically to the ground
on Dunsop Fell and exploded. Oddly, and although heavily damaged, 928
continued to fly for about two miles before it also dove vertically into the
ground at Baxton Fell in the picturesque moors area. Pilot 1st Lt. Henry L.
Perry was killed instantly.
To give an idea of the terrible price of war, on the same day 1st Lt.
Donald S. White of the 83rd FS, 78th FG, was lost while flying P-38F 41-
7576 as part of nine Lightnings being rushed to North Africa after modifica-
tions at BAD 3. These three pilots were the first casualties for the 78th since
arriving in the UK and a big blow to the unit’s morale. Today, a surprising
amount of P-38 wreckage remains from the mid-air collision although in
the past few years, vandals have taken to stealing parts and putting them
for sale on the internet. It is a haunted area that claimed several other air-
craft and crews and a memorial had been placed to honor their sacrifices.
However, the memorial has also been lately vandalized.The moors are quite marshy and pieces of one of the
destroyed Lightnings glint in a pool of water. Unfortunately,
over the past few years many of the parts have “disappeared”
only to show up being offered for sale on the internet.COST OF WAR
REMAINS OF TWO 78th FIGHTER GROUP LIGHTNINGS SERVE AS A STARK REMINDER
TO THE IMMENSE LOSSES SUFFERED BY THE USAAF IN ENGLANDMemorial stone placed to honor the two P-38G pilots and
others that have died in air crashes in the area. These moors
are a haunted location and there have been over 14 aircraft
crashes with over 25 killed, most taking place during WWII.Telergma, Algeria, May 1943: four 49th FS (and former 83rd FS) pilots wash up outside
their tent. From left to right: Lts. Wallace G. Bland, William D. Neely III, William Gregory,
and Lloyd De Moss. Only “Greg” Gregory would survive the war. Neely and Bland were
both killed in action over Sicily — on 26 June and 10 July, respectively — and De Moss
in a P-38 accident in the States after completing his combat tour.