Interview with James Graves, January 23, 1986

Interview Summary

James Graves served as a P-51 pilot in the 352nd Fighter Group. He flew a total of eighteen missions, escorting bombers, patrolling Europe, and strafing enemy targets. Graves recalls his first mission over Ruhrland and Berlin, when he encountered antiaircraft fire and almost ran out of gas. He also mentions some of the targets of his strafing missions, including German airfields and supply depots. On one mission, he accidentally hit his squadron leader’s plane. On another, his entire squadron became disoriented and lost sight of the land. Graves served briefly with the Army of Occupation, and he closes his interview with a description of Nuremberg after the war.

Interview Keyword

Dogfights Fighter pilots Aircraft Airstrikes Strafing Bombers United States. Air Force Squadrons Visibility Siege of London Fueling Fuselages Gasoline Fire bombs Airfields Escort missions Friendly fire Casualties

Interview LC Subject

Veterans World War II United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 352nd Campbellsville (Ky.) Germany England Berlin (Germany) Dresden (Germany) Belgium P-40 (Fighter plane) Mustang (Fighter plane) Precision bombing Great Britain United States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 352nd

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.