P-47 Recovery News Article
Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:47 pm
Just out by the Evansville, IN newspaper
Rescued P-47 was built here
Getting it home no sure thing
By BYRON ROHRIG Courier & Press staff writer 464-7426 or blrohrig@evansville.net
June 17, 2005
A tail number obtained from the Air Force confirmed the P-47 Thunderbolt pulled from Lake Traunsee in Austria on Monday was built at Republic Aviation's Evansville plant. The number - 42-29150 - proved the plane was among 6,242 P-47s manufactured here between 1942 and 1945, said Kenneth D. Wilson, local Indiana Division of Republic Aviation historian. An independent serial list confirmed the Evansville origin of the plane, which Wilson said was delivered in June 1944.
News the plane was built in what is now the Whirlpool Corp. plant made more interesting the prospect of obtaining it for a proposed local homefront war museum. But locals interested in a presentable P-47 for Evansville appeared to know little Thursday about how likely that is. "It makes an interesting prospect," said Evansville LST Committee member and historian Tom Lonnberg. "We have people trying to pin down more details about it. That it's Evansville-built adds some intrigue. But what it would cost to bring it here and restore it is unknown."
"To have one that was made in Evansville would be extra special," said Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel. "But it has to make sense financially and as part of an overall concept for the homefront war museum." However, getting the plane may be especially difficult, according to information received by the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria. Army Sgt. Tana Mobley, a reservist serving there, said on Thursday that embassy officials learned the plane's rescue had been bankrolled by a German donor on behalf of an Austrian historical aircraft association. It wants to restore the aircraft for a museum of its own.
Meanwhile, more was learned Thursday about the circumstances of how the 11-month-old P-47D-28-RA - one of1,028 of that specific model built in Evansville, Wilson said - came to sink to the bottom of Traunsee Lake on the day after Germany surrendered.
On V-E (Victory in Europe) Day May 8, 1945, 2nd Lt. Henry G. Mohr Jr. flew the plane alongside a second P-47 on an armed reconnaissance mission over one of the Nazi's most notorious concentration-prisoner of war camps. During a low pass, Mohr broke off to avoid a smokestack and came in too low while attempting to rejoin his flight, said a spokesman with the Experimental Aircraft Association's 7,000-member Warbirds of America. The Wisconsin-based organization, interested in exhibition of ex-military aircraft, has been following closely this week's recovery operation.
A propeller struck the water's surface, damaging the engine, which lost power, said Warbirds spokesman Bill Fischer. The plane hit the water off Gmunden, Austria, at between 225 and 250 mph and abruptly sank. Mohr, who had no life raft or vest, got out of the cockpit and was pulled from the water by a boater.
Fischer said he learned the details from aviation historian Jack Cook, who in turn spoke with Mohr on Thursday. Cook, contacted afterward, verified the story. Mohr did not immediately respond to a reporter's e-mail.
Mohr's 15th combat mission was a low-level armed reconnaissance of a prisoner-of-war camp at Ebensee, at the southern tip of Traunsee Lake and located in one of the Nazis' most horrible concentration camps. Fischer said Mohr and the other P-47 pilot were under orders to attack the camp if they found evidence that the Germans were killing prisoners in a final, desperate deed.
The camp, where some 20,000 people are believed to have perished, was liberated the following day. It was unclear Thursday if Mohr - with the 9th Air Force, 405 Fighter Group, 511th Fighter Squadron - was taken prisoner.
Rescued P-47 was built here
Getting it home no sure thing
By BYRON ROHRIG Courier & Press staff writer 464-7426 or blrohrig@evansville.net
June 17, 2005
A tail number obtained from the Air Force confirmed the P-47 Thunderbolt pulled from Lake Traunsee in Austria on Monday was built at Republic Aviation's Evansville plant. The number - 42-29150 - proved the plane was among 6,242 P-47s manufactured here between 1942 and 1945, said Kenneth D. Wilson, local Indiana Division of Republic Aviation historian. An independent serial list confirmed the Evansville origin of the plane, which Wilson said was delivered in June 1944.
News the plane was built in what is now the Whirlpool Corp. plant made more interesting the prospect of obtaining it for a proposed local homefront war museum. But locals interested in a presentable P-47 for Evansville appeared to know little Thursday about how likely that is. "It makes an interesting prospect," said Evansville LST Committee member and historian Tom Lonnberg. "We have people trying to pin down more details about it. That it's Evansville-built adds some intrigue. But what it would cost to bring it here and restore it is unknown."
"To have one that was made in Evansville would be extra special," said Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel. "But it has to make sense financially and as part of an overall concept for the homefront war museum." However, getting the plane may be especially difficult, according to information received by the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria. Army Sgt. Tana Mobley, a reservist serving there, said on Thursday that embassy officials learned the plane's rescue had been bankrolled by a German donor on behalf of an Austrian historical aircraft association. It wants to restore the aircraft for a museum of its own.
Meanwhile, more was learned Thursday about the circumstances of how the 11-month-old P-47D-28-RA - one of1,028 of that specific model built in Evansville, Wilson said - came to sink to the bottom of Traunsee Lake on the day after Germany surrendered.
On V-E (Victory in Europe) Day May 8, 1945, 2nd Lt. Henry G. Mohr Jr. flew the plane alongside a second P-47 on an armed reconnaissance mission over one of the Nazi's most notorious concentration-prisoner of war camps. During a low pass, Mohr broke off to avoid a smokestack and came in too low while attempting to rejoin his flight, said a spokesman with the Experimental Aircraft Association's 7,000-member Warbirds of America. The Wisconsin-based organization, interested in exhibition of ex-military aircraft, has been following closely this week's recovery operation.
A propeller struck the water's surface, damaging the engine, which lost power, said Warbirds spokesman Bill Fischer. The plane hit the water off Gmunden, Austria, at between 225 and 250 mph and abruptly sank. Mohr, who had no life raft or vest, got out of the cockpit and was pulled from the water by a boater.
Fischer said he learned the details from aviation historian Jack Cook, who in turn spoke with Mohr on Thursday. Cook, contacted afterward, verified the story. Mohr did not immediately respond to a reporter's e-mail.
Mohr's 15th combat mission was a low-level armed reconnaissance of a prisoner-of-war camp at Ebensee, at the southern tip of Traunsee Lake and located in one of the Nazis' most horrible concentration camps. Fischer said Mohr and the other P-47 pilot were under orders to attack the camp if they found evidence that the Germans were killing prisoners in a final, desperate deed.
The camp, where some 20,000 people are believed to have perished, was liberated the following day. It was unclear Thursday if Mohr - with the 9th Air Force, 405 Fighter Group, 511th Fighter Squadron - was taken prisoner.
Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:02 pm
I'm confused now. So where is the P-47 going? Last I heard the operation was bank rolled by an American.
Here's a question though. Do these outside parties in other countries still have request permission from the USAF if the aircraft is in another country and the recoverers are not U.S. citizens? Just curious that's all.
Shay
Here's a question though. Do these outside parties in other countries still have request permission from the USAF if the aircraft is in another country and the recoverers are not U.S. citizens? Just curious that's all.
Shay
Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:04 pm
Hi Shay:
No the USAF does not claim ownership of any plane that crashed before 1972, I believe, due to a fire where records were lost.
No the USAF does not claim ownership of any plane that crashed before 1972, I believe, due to a fire where records were lost.
P-47
Sat Jun 18, 2005 12:07 am
The arson fire set by VN war protesters in 1972 at the National Personal Records Center in St. Louis has absolutely nothing to do with any policies (current or past) regarding anything.
The fire destroyed 10s of 1000s of military records mostly US Army WWII A-L all gone. Because of this many vets aren't eligible for VA services ie disablility claims, medical coverage or ever having the decorations issued or even to get proof they serviced unless they can present proof to the Gov't.
Buyt all this has nothing to do with policies over former equiptment. But those a-Holes who torched the place sure screwed a bunch of WWII vets and did nothing to further their goals.
The fire destroyed 10s of 1000s of military records mostly US Army WWII A-L all gone. Because of this many vets aren't eligible for VA services ie disablility claims, medical coverage or ever having the decorations issued or even to get proof they serviced unless they can present proof to the Gov't.
Buyt all this has nothing to do with policies over former equiptment. But those a-Holes who torched the place sure screwed a bunch of WWII vets and did nothing to further their goals.
Sat Jun 18, 2005 12:18 am
Hi Jack:
You might want to check your information w/ the historical center at Maxwell A.F.B., because that's not what they told me.
You might want to check your information w/ the historical center at Maxwell A.F.B., because that's not what they told me.
P-47
Sat Jun 18, 2005 12:24 am
When I talked to Henry Mohr was clearly stated that the recovery was bankrolled by the gent in Las Vegas and gave me his address and email.
P-47
Sat Jun 18, 2005 12:32 am
Chris,
I've been there numerous times doing research. News to me. Why would a bunch of hippie war protesting arsonists torching millions of WWII personal records (which is why it's called National Personal Records Center) have anything to with any military policy concerning abandoned 60 year old equiptment???
I've been there numerous times doing research. News to me. Why would a bunch of hippie war protesting arsonists torching millions of WWII personal records (which is why it's called National Personal Records Center) have anything to with any military policy concerning abandoned 60 year old equiptment???
Sat Jun 18, 2005 12:58 am
Well, what they told me is the records on individual aircraft were lost in the fire. I don't know why they told me that is it's B.S.
P-47
Sat Jun 18, 2005 1:45 am
Baloney!!!!!!!
The records are at Maxwell and the National Archives.
The records are at Maxwell and the National Archives.
Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:03 am
Ok, I guess I was out of the loop, but I'll check into it.
Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:17 am
Why no life raft or life vest?
Weren't they standard equipment?
Weren't they standard equipment?
Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:54 am
jack, your motivation, ingenuity, dedication, on & on are highly respected & saluted by me & countless others. your research & time devoted are most appreciated in enlightening us all. 
with much appreciation & respect, thank you, tom friedman
with much appreciation & respect, thank you, tom friedman
?????
Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:32 am
Raven
After DDay aircrews flying from the continent (not going across the channel) discontinued using rafts and mae wests has they just weren't needed. Except I suppose you crashed into a lake. Also crews in China never used the equiptment either except when attacking Formosa and shipping.
After DDay aircrews flying from the continent (not going across the channel) discontinued using rafts and mae wests has they just weren't needed. Except I suppose you crashed into a lake. Also crews in China never used the equiptment either except when attacking Formosa and shipping.
Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:09 am
HI WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE RAZORBACK P-47 THAT WAS RECOVERED IN FLORIDA A FEW YEARS BACK? I HEARED THAT THE GROUP AT THE FACTORY HAD GOTTEN IT AND WERE RESTORING IT.IT WAS RATHER ROUGH BUT LOOKED RESTORABLE,DID THEY GIVE UP? 
I WOULD LOVE TO DO IT IF IT STILL EXISTS.ANYBODY OUT THERE KNOW THE FACTS? 
THANKS MIKE
I WOULD LOVE TO DO IT IF IT STILL EXISTS.ANYBODY OUT THERE KNOW THE FACTS? THANKS MIKE
Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:12 am
Hi Mike:
You'd need to have some serious guts to try to tackle a project like that, it was pretty incomplete..
You'd need to have some serious guts to try to tackle a project like that, it was pretty incomplete..