P-47D Thunderbolt
USAAF Serial: 42-8420
353rd FG of 352nd FS
Pilot: Cpt. Robert C. Durlin
Date: 15th September 1943
Place: Bude, Cornwall

Captain Durlin, based at Thorney Island, was leading his flight of four planes providing escort to B-24s at 30,000 feet. On his return, he was to take a heading of 340 degrees, but his instruments failed, and he decided to drop through a hole in the cloud to find his position. His wingman, Lt. Donavan, followed, but the other two pilots carried on above the clouds. Durlin and Donavan soon crossed the French coast at Cherbourg into the Channel, and flak opened fire.

Durlin became confused at his position, his radio was not working properly, and it was getting dark. Donavan then radioed to say he was bailing out because he was running out of fuel. He fell into the sea off Portland Bill, and his body was never found. 

Durlin then began to call for radio fixes, but could not get a satisfactory fix – American homing facilities in the west of England were not adequate. When his fuel also ran out, he turned the P-47 over and bailed out. His parachute did not open fully before he hit the ground and he sustained injuries, but survived. The P-47 dived into a potato field two miles from Bude.