The story of Alexander Jefferson and the all-Black 332nd Fighter Group pilots ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
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February 2024

Dear Friend,

The Stories section of our website is just that, the amazing stories of American airmen and
women and their impact on Britain and Europe. We're excited to share this
content with you, that’s why each month we highlight a Story and bring this
intriguing content to your inbox.

February is Black History Month—a time to honor the legacy and celebrate the
achievements of African Americans past and present. In this month's story
feature, we explore the story of Alexander Jefferson and the all-Black 332nd
Fighter Group pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

LIFE BEHIND THE WIRE AT STALAG LUFT III
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On August 12, 1944, Alexander Jefferson was flying his P-51 Mustang over the
French Riviera. It was a beautiful day, and the mission target – radar stations
at Toulon Harbor – soon rose from the summer haze. As Jefferson pulled back the
throttle and began his dive toward the target, he noticed a string of blinking
red lights – anti-aircraft fire. Flying at 50 feet, he felt a resounding thump
shake his P-51, followed by a rush of cool air. The Mustang’s canopy had been
blown off and fire and smoke were filling the cockpit. After regaining some
altitude, Jefferson bailed out, and was quickly apprehended.

As the air war intensified over Europe, downed US airmen flooded into POW camps
at an astonishing rate. By the end of the war, more than 35,000 US Army Air
Force personnel had been captured by Germany and its European allies.

Learn more about Alexander Jefferson and the 332nd Fighter Group pilots in this
story.
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[[link removed]] Object Number HU 21074 - Newly arrived American prisoners of war with their
luggage at Stalag Luft III, Sagan, amongst them Alexander Jefferson a Black
airman of the 332nd Fighter Group.Thank you to our members who make all our work possible. We hope you will enjoy
learning more about the heroic men and women who sacrificed so much for our
freedom.

Sincerely,
The American Air Museum in Britain



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[[link removed]] [[link removed]]American Air Museum in Britain: Post Office Box 97055, Washington, DC,
20077-7055
Message Center: 1-888-859-9550. Email: [email protected] [[email protected]] .

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