Today in World War II History—March 5, 1944

Lt. Charles “Chuck” Yeager of the 357th Fighter Group, with his P-51 Mustang “Glamorous Glen,” 17 October 1944 (Imperial War Museum, Roger Freeman Collection)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 5, 1944: Future test pilot Flight Officer Chuck Yeager of the US 357th Fighter Group is shot down in his P-51 over Gironde, France; he evades capture with help of French resistance.

In Second Chindit Raid, Wingate’s Special Force (British/Indian) and US Army engineers make airborne drops in Burma and build “Broadway” airstrip; C-47s double-tow gliders to Broadway airstrip but nearly all are damaged.

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