Date: 1944 Oct 24/24			A/C Type: P-47D Thunderbolt		SN: 44-19929		Code: LM-		A/C Nickname:
File: 352		Airforce:  USAAF		Sqn/Unit: 56 FG - 62 FS			Mission/Raid: Rodeo Mission (Offensive patrol, strafing)
1	Pilot	2Lt. George R. Choate     KIA					9	RWG
2	Co-pilot						10	TG
3	Nav.						11
4	B						12
5	E						13
6	RO						14
7	BTG						15
8	LWG						16
While strafing a truck, received accurate light Flak from Harlingen harbor. Crashed at Achlum 2 miles SE Harlingen. Buried there. row 4, grave 4.

During the fast decent of the aircraft, Lt. Choate stood on the wing ready to jump, but was too low and killed in the crash when the aircraft drove deep into the ground. His colleagues in the other P-47 knew that they were somewhere on the Eastern shore line of the Zuyder Sea (Lake IJsselmeer), one thought he was at Elburg harbor and wrote that in his report (see map below). However, they were 48 miles more north at Harlingen (marked with red cross). 




























































Photo: http://members.ziggo.nl/netuser/1944_Thunderbolt.htm
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© ZZairwar (Zuyder Zee Air War)









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