DJ_Dalton1
Airman
- 24
- Mar 13, 2005
Maestro said:In that case, I'll translate and post the two other fighter victories stories listed to Pierre H. Clostermann.
His 4th victory (FW-190) :
"Hazebrouk, August 27th 1943
In this beginning of evening, 224 B-17 from the 8th Bomber Command divided in 4 groups must bomb a forest at Watten, near Saint-Omer. The Allies suspected the Germans set up secrets weapons on this site (in fact, they were building a V-2 site). The first bomber formation was escorted by the 24 Spitfires from the Biggin Hill Wing (12 Mk. IX from the 341 Squadron and a equal number from the New-Zelander 485 Squadron) led by Cmdr. Mouchotte.
Arrived in advance at the rendez-vous point, the B-17s are attacked by an hundred of German fighters from the I and II/JG 2 and II and III/JG 26. The Spitfires join-in at top speed and a nice show begins. During the fight, 2 New-Zelander planes dive behind a FW-190. They are followed by an other Focke-Wulf themselves. The Sgc Clostermann try to warn them and engage the last one. He follows him at a high speed, shooting short bursts at him and hitting him many times. Hit by a last burst at less than 100 meters, the German plane roll on top and crash on the ground at an awful speed. The pilot probably was the unteroffizier Krieg from the 5./JG 26 aboard the FW-190A-4 (WNr.2379). On his side, Captain Boudier also shot down a FW-190. At the radio, Cmdr. Mouchotte say that he is alone, it'll be his last message. He'll fall near Dunkerque, shot down by Leutnant Radener, Kapitän of the 6./JG 26. An other pilot from the 6th Staffel, Feldwebel Mayer will shot down Sgc Magrot who will be taken P.O.W.
The Allied protection was efficient, because only three B-17 were shot down by the Flak while an other one was shot down by a fighter. In spite of the High Command's predictions, it was the first flight group that got beaten up. Two of the following flights didn't saw any Black Cross and for the last one, protected by the biggest part of the escort, the band of Focke-Wulf has been disperced.
interesting engagement. Say 50 of the FW were bomber hunters and 50 support. Still the GB were apparently outnumbered in this one 100-50...maybe even steven for fighter configured aircraft. Two Spits drop on a FW another FW rallies to aid and the French Ace drops on him. It sounds even up for losses. Thats a pretty good engagement for the Spitfures from what Ive read.
Sources :
Le Grand Cirque, page 45
JG 26 War Diary, Vol. 2, page 144
"
His 5th victory (Bf-109G) :
"Saint-André-de-l'Eure, June 15th 1944
Jacques Remlinger and Pierre Clostermann decided to realise a project they were thinking about since december : the straffing of the Saint-André-de-l'Eure airbase, suspected of activity.
They take off at 09h50 with 12 other Spitfires from 602 Squadron. At half-way, they break the formation with the authorisation of the Squadron Leader. Arrived above the target, they spot an ennemy plane at low altitude. Clostermann head toward him at top speed, he must be quick. The airbase saw from 4000 meters high seemed damaged, but was in fact camouflaged to make peoples beleive it was. He pull-up at three or four km away from the airbase and hug the ground to avoid the Flak. At the other side of the airbase, the form of the plane appears - that's a Messerschmitt 109. Clostermann, at 50 meters high, cross at 750 km/h a second Bf-109 that he didn't saw, fockused on the other. The German Flak fired at will, without care for the Bf-109. Clostermann fires long bursts and see him turn-over and start a roll... The Messerschmitt crashed in a field south to the main airstrip.
Clostermann: "Remlinger, Remlinger.......can you confirm ...where are you?"
Remlinger: "The flak is vicious Pierre, I am dodging it"
Clostermann: "Jacques can you confirm meine messerschitt?"
Remlinger: "I've been awful busy Pierre, if you buy me a bottle of champagne I will say i saw it"
Clostermann: "You're tastes are expensive Jacques"
Remlinger: "How badly do you want credit Pierre?"