Photo from open sources
On November 3, 1996, the UK air defense service operator spotted object approaching at low altitude to the English coast with side of the strait of Pas de Calais. The object did not respond to requests. Operator identified him as a propeller aircraft. It was coming back fighter P-40 “Tomahawk” under the control of pilot John Walker, flew out on a combat mission on April 9, 1944. The plane sat on a meadow near Martha Crawford’s farm. At that time in the garden the hostess hastened to the plane to find out what the pilot had lost her farm. Mrs. Crawford did not ask questions: it was clear that it was an emergency landing – the plane was covered in holes. She helped the pilot out of the cockpit and led him into the house. The pilot was all in the blood. On the way, he clearly raved: he said something about the war, cursed the Nazis and asked to be contacted by phone with the command regiment and report that Lieutenant John Walker has completed the combat mission and shot down the Messer. Having laid the pilot on the couch, Martha called the attending physician doctor Pete Wooden, informed him of what had happened and asked him to come as soon as possible. The doctor arrived very soon and asked Mrs. Crawford leave him alone with the sick. The pilot introduced himself to Woodan like John Walker, US Air Force lieutenant. April 9, 1944 a group of heavy bombers “Lancaster” flew in the direction of occupied Belgium with the task of bombing industrial facilities. Walker was part of the cover squadron. The group was attacked by German fighters. Walker joined the battle with three Messerschmites, one shot down, but was hit by himself. Losing height turned towards England. When the coastline was already visible, the world seemed to explode. When John came to, he was struck by silence. The air, just scored by the voices of English and German pilots, leading the battle was empty. With difficulty, he managed to land an uncontrollable car on the field. The doctor left the room where the pilot was lying preoccupied and immediately made several phone calls. Soon Mrs. Crawford’s little house was filled with people. The pilot was taken away by car to the hospital. Arriving military inspected standing on meadow P-40 with tail number P-0327. Fresh holes on it testified that the fighter had just left the battle. Soon a transport helicopter arrived, which carried the fighter to the base. IN The archive found data on both the aircraft and the pilot. P-40 with this board number led by pilot John Walker really reported missing April 9, 1944. The fact that the photographs from Mrs. Walker’s personal file was portrayed as a strange guest Mrs. Crawford, mentioning is even unnecessary.
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