Maximowitz
Tech Sergeant
Mark, I'm researching KG 51 at the moment, who made the claim if you don't mind me asking?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
Hi Maximowitz - Feldwebel Schmidt is the guy involved, according to Tony Woods lists.
Hi Maximowitz - Feldwebel Schmidt is the guy involved, according to Tony Woods lists.
Hiyas Erich,
No, I'm helping a German mate identify the B-17 claimed by the jet. (The claim is in the Tony Woods file for Reich West, late '44, 5 December, think it's the second-last one listed for that date in the supplementals: 05.12.44 Fw. Schmidt 1./KG 51 B-17 05 Ost/GP-35: 1.800 m. 13.08 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: Nr. -).
I think I've got it narrowed down to two possibilities: 44-8518*of the 452nd BG or 43-38693*of the 91st BG. The secondary documents I've seen thus far have both coming down at Talgewilsten, west of Lingen. That appears to be bollocks, as the two small towns involved (Talge and Wilsten), both are to the east and southeast of Lingen, respectively. I suspect wire-crossing in the reporting, as JG 26 claimed a B-17 west of Lingen at 13:36. Schmidt's claim is pretty much directly over Wilsten, and footnote.com says (in the Quick Look window) that a Fort came down at Talge-Wilsten at 13:10.
So, I guess either I or my mate need to pony up for the two MACRs involved, or find someone with access to footnote.
Hope you're rippin' it up E,
Mark
Thanks D - the MACRs in this case do give information beyond "last seen at..."
Which is rather upsetting in its own way - both of the crews appear to have been alone over Germany for two hours, and had almost reached Dutch territory when shot down. I'm reminded of the scene in Memphis Belle where one of the gunners sees another aircraft dropping out of formation and says "The bogey-man's gonna get 'em."
I just can't imagine what those boys went through.