P-51 flown by 2nd.Lt. Kiggin 31st FG recovered in CZ

[ZuluEcho]

being reported on the a czech forum.. seems that there was an issue with the handling of the remains which thankfully has been resolved now.

English version
http://hloubkari.bloguje.cz/tema-21-english-version.php

Czech version with Pictures of Recovery
http://hloubkari.bloguje.cz/503916_item.php

Last edited by ZuluEcho on Wed Aug 15, 2007 12:31 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Dan Johnson II]

Looks like you misread it. The P51B was flown by 2/Lt William L. Kiggins of the 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, 15th USAAF.

McGee Survived the war.

[fotobass]

This was from another place on the page..

Wrecks of the P-51 of 2/Lt Kiggins found in the Czech Republic
V rubrice English version

UK vlajka Czech version

Wrecks of a P-51B Mustang (including 0.50-caliber bullets, small metal sheets painted in olive drab, asbestos net from the cooler and the speed reducing gear, burnt-out parts of the cockpit etc.) were found south-west of the city of Brno, Czech Republic. Researchers of the Moravian Museum have been involved in this project.

The aircraft (nicknamed "Miss Betty") was shot down by light flak that defended the nearby airdrome while it was strafing a RR station where one (or four?) oil cars were left burning and a locomotive was destroyed. The pilot, 2/Lt William L. Kiggins of the 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, 15th USAAF, perished. His body was buried in the local cemetery and exhumed on September 18, 1946.

According to the INTOPS Summary 308th Squadron was credited with two destroyed and two damaged enemy planes on the A/D but members of the local police post counted nine destroyed and nineteen damaged planes...

Human remains of 2/Lt Kiggins have been stored in the City Cemetery Service and the U. S. Embassy has been officially approached to communicate with the 2/Lt Kiggins' family whether they would like to take over the remains and place them into the grave in Toledo, Ohio.

An event commemorating 2/Lt Kiggins's death will be held on October 13, 2007 in Brno-Slatina.

[ZuluEcho]

sorry guys.. i messed up in my haste.. i've corrected the topic. thanks!

[ZuluEcho]

i copied the most recent post from the website... apologises.. interesting website with lots of recovery stuff.

[strafer]

Dear all, thanks for your interest! I have been translating at least some posts to the blog into English - please see http://hloubkari.bloguje.cz/tema-21-english-version.php

2/Lt Kiggins was the first U. S. pilot killed in a strafing attack in then Czechoslovakia.

Regards, Filip

[strafer]

Dear all, referring to the blog post I would like to let you know that an event commemorating 2/Lt Kiggins's death will be held on October 13, 2007 near the crash site. Pictures and even video clips will be available at the blog afterwards.
Regards, Filip

[strafer]

Hi all,
this is to let you I have just submitted a post and pictures on unveiling the memorial to 2/Lt Kiggins in the city of Brno, Czech Republic - please see at http://hloubkari.bloguje.cz/tema-21-english-version.php . BTW, he was the only U. S. soldier killed in action in the vicinity, which was liberated by the Red Army. Unfortunately, no one of the U. S. Military Attache's Office attended this event... It is not also clear whether the remain that were recovered will be taken by U. S. officials to be buried in Toledo, Ohio.
Regards, Filip

[strafer]

Dear all, 2/Lt Kiggins' remains, which were excavated in April 2007, were taken over by U.S. officials yesterday to be returned to the United States and likely to be buried in Toledo, Ohio.
Regards, Filip