A Surrendered German Officer's Pistol and Memorandum of Presentation
Colonel Joseph Laughlin received a pistol from a German Officer after nearly 20,000 troops surrendered
The XIX Tactical Air Command (TAC) were very effective in their missions to bomb and disrupt the German lines, especially the P-47s in the 362nd Fighter Group. Upon the surrender of German troops at the Beaugency Bridge in France, officers handed over their pistols in capitulation. In recognition of his groups' successes, General Otto Weyland had one of the officer's pistols sent to Colonel Laughlin.
United States Army Air Corps
Fabryka Broni
September 23, 1944
1930s
The Former Quarters of the 362nd Fighter Group in Reims, France
Before the chateau, the pilots of the 362nd Fighter Group were in tents on the edge of a forest
Lodgings were not always glamorous for the 362nd Fighter Group. However, after Colonel Joseph Laughlin managed to "acquire" a chateau outside Reims, the pilots of the group were upgraded from these tents.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
September 1944
<a title="Studying Colonel Joseph Laughlin" href="https://josephlaughlinfivebyfive.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Blog</a>
The blog associated with this project
This blog was a way for the administrator to document her journey and process through this project. The topics vary from her grandfather, the late Colonel Joseph Laughlin, to what she learned not to do in her search for information. She hopes it will help others as they set out on projects of their own.
Jamie Laughlin
Wordpress.com
Wordpress.com
January 2016-present
Jamie Laughlin
All rights reserved over content by Jamie Laughlin
P-47s on Take-Off
P-47s about to lift off from a makeshift airstrip
This photo shows P-47s in the 362nd fighter group preparing to take-off. They are waiting for the signal from the grounds crewman to hit the throttle. They are not attempting to do a dual take-off at this airfield in Reims, France.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
October 1944
A P-47 with Razorback Canopy
A P-47 with the Razorback canopy was flown by the 362nd Fighter Group until late 1944.
The original versions of the P-47 that were sent to the 362nd Fighter Group had the Razorback canopy. Pilots of the 362nd credit Colonel Laughlin with the change to the Bubble Top canopy, a positive change for visibility and accessibility. This photo shows a P-47 Razorback being prepped for a mission, with a fuel tank and two bombs already loaded under the plane.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1943-1944
The 362nd Receives a Presidential Unit Citation
The 362nd received their second Presidential Unit Citation
In this article taken from the Associated Press, the 362nd received their second Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy in Germany.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
March-April 1945
362nd Destroys Multiple German Planes and Trains in One Day
The effective destruction that the 362nd could impose on the Germans
This article describes the destructiveness of the 362nd by describing the amount of German planes and trains that they destroyed in one Saturday.
Omaha World-Herald
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
October 30, 1944
Colonel Joseph Laughlin Describes Devastation in Germany to his Hometown Newspaper
Colonel Laughlin describes the devastation inflicted on a region in Germany by his 362nd Fighter Groups
In this article, Colonel Laughlin describes what he sees on the ground after his 362nd Fighter Group bombed and strafed a region outside Mainz in Germany.
Grand Island Daily Independent
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
March 19, 1945
Colonel Joseph Laughlin Receives a Nazi Officer's Pistol
A newspaper article confirming that Colonel Laughlin received a pistol from a Nazi Officer
An unknown newspaper announcing that Colonel Laughlin would be receiving a German Officer's pistol. The pistol was one of thousands turned over when 20,000 German soldiers surrendered, a feat Colonel Laughlin and the 362nd were credited with helping to do.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1945
Colonel Joseph Laughlin is Awarded the Croix de Guerre
An article describes Colonel Laughlin receiving another award after his 362nd Fighter Group has received another Presidential Unit Citation
This Nebraska newspaper announces the Croix de Guerre medal has been awarded to Colonel Laughlin for meritorious service. This is after the 362nd had just received their second Presidential Unit Citation.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1945