Cause of Death: |
Killed in action, North American F-51 Mustang #320. Six aircraft, led by Commandant Dick Clifton, were tasked with flak suppression during a series of 18 Fighter Bomber Wing attacks on the railway between Sunchon and Kuadong-ni, also known as 'Butterfly Bend'. While making their attack, the flight was bounced by a number of enemy MiG-15 aircraft, and 2Lt D. L. Taylor, in the No.4 position, was hit between the mainplane and fuselage as he pulled away from the target. He immediately headed south with his aircraft streaming black smoke and glycol, while the remainder of the flight attempted to cover his retreat. However, two MiG's made a series of quarter attacks, forcing the Mustangs to turn towards them, while another MiG tried to sneak up on the Mustangs from below. The latter was spotted by Lt Joubert, and his warning enabled the formation to break to port just as the MiG opened fire, causing him to miss as he passed the formation in a shallow climb. Lt Enslin, in the No.6 position, fired a long burst into the port wing root of the MiG, which proved enough to convince the remaining enemy aircraft to break off the combat and head for home. Later analysis of Lt Enslin's gun camera footage confirmed that he had hit the MiG, and he was credited with a damaged MiG-15. Unfortunately, in the skirmish the flight had lost sight of 2Lt Taylor's aircraft, and he was never seen again. |
