Lt.Merlin Kehrer, 362nd FS, 357th FG
Merlin Kehrer was 18 years old when World War II began in Europe. Eager to become a fighter pilot, Merlin attempted to enlist in the USAAC, but was denied entry due to his age. Determined to be a pilot, Merlin turned to the Royal Canadian Air Force, and in February of 1941, the RCAF accepted Merlin into their flight program. After several months of training, Merlin was a certified pilot in the RCAF. In January of 1942, Merlin was sent by boat to North Africa, where he flew Spitfires on reconnaissance missions. Pleased with his current position, but wanting more combat experience, Merlin transferred to RCAF Squadron No. 414, a fighter group attached to the British Royal Air Force. It was in No. 414 that Merlin had his first experience flying the P-51B Mustang. Merlin was a fighter pilot in No. 414 for nearly 6 months, and flew numerous air to ground assault, and photo recon missions in France. While flying with the RCAF, Merlin named his Spitfire and P-51B “Scrappy” Mark 1 and 2. .
In November of 1943, Merlin was finally cleared to fly fighters in the USAAF, and made the transfer to the Army Air Force. After waiting a few weeks to see what squadron he would join, Merlin was told he had been assigned to the 362nd Fighter Squadron 357th Fighter Group 9th Air Force (which was later was reassigned to the 8th Air Force). He, along with his Best friend, Lt. Don Vogel, and Merlin’s P-51B “Scrappy,” were sent to Leiston, England, where he met the men who would become his brothers in arms. Merlin adjusted quickly, and took a liking to several men in his new squadron, one man specifically being John England, who would go on to be one of the “Top Guns of the 357th FG,” with 17 1/2 Victories.
The 357th FG flew long range bomber escort deep into Germany. Its first missions to Germany were during “Big Week” (20-25 Feb 1944), where the Allies focused on six straight days of missions over Germany bombing aircraft related targets and drawing out Luftwaffe pilots to dogfight He was one of the fortunate few to participate in these first bomber escort missions in February of 1944. Merlin flew 4 combat missions with the 362nd, and claimed one aerial victory (a Ju-88) before being damaged in a dogfight on February 25, 1944. Merlin attempted to fly his damaged P-51 to Switzerland, but was forced to crash land just 35 miles from the border. He was immediately captured by German forces and spent the next 13 months in Stalag Luft 1, a Prisoner of War camp in Barth, Germany. Information from John Ballard, Merlin’s great-grandson.
(Click on the photo to enlarge)
Merlin’s P-51B “Scrappy” 43-12151 G4-B
Nose art for P-51B “Scrappy” Image taken from a video clip.
Lt Merlin Kehrer
Merlin’s POW photo.
Merlin’s best friend Lt Konstantin Vogel, 362nd FS. KIA 18 March 1944
Lt Vogel and Lt Kehrer best friends in RCAF
Lt Melvin Kehrer 362nd FS
