Oesau's 109 in this gun camera image?
 

Hello Dan

It is my understanding that it was 1st Lieutenant James “Pappy” Doyle of the 428th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group, 9th USAAF who may have shot down and killed Oesau. Many thanks for posting this interesting image. One cannot help but think of what Oesau must have been experiencing at the time this photograph was taken... May God have mercy on him and all who fell in World War II.

Leo

Re: Oesau's 109 in this gun camera image?
 

This one?

"Papy" Doyle said he opened fire from very long range and this photograph was taken almost at point-blank range.

Re: Oesau's 109 in this gun camera image?
 

Hi CJ, Yeah, we're not really sure if this is Oesaus aircraft actually, just trying to find out more info about this interesting photo.
The image you attached however has been cropped from the original 'still' making it appear to be very close. The numeral "13 also seems to have been touched up or is for some reason a lot clearer than the original that I posted...
Please refer to the image at the start of this thread:
http://www.siteupdates.com/drt/images/Oesau109G.jpg
I am no expert on judging range but the distance seems to be at least 200 to 300 feet from the attacking aircraft, which is perhaps a long way out to some USAAF pilots! I have read that a lot of them preferred to get in as close as 50 feet. Perhaps someone with experience could estimate an approximate range here? (feet or meters)
Thanks for your input however,
Dan

Re: Oesau's 109 in this gun camera image?
 

You're welcome, I am glad it has generated some interest. Looking at it again I think you are right about the canopy. I wonder if in Pappy Doyles combat report it mentions that Oesau ejected the canopy...that would make things even more interesting.
Thanks for your input,
Dan Taylor

Re: Oesau's 109 in this gun camera image?
 

Hi John, I'm starting to lean in this direction too based on the circumstantial bits of the puzzle...do you have or know of any further evidence to support your view? I'm hoping that this image is associated with a surviving copy of Pappy Doyles actual gun camera film, which would clinch it - or perhaps a post war statement from Doyle giving it the nod. (It's probably too much to ask that this particular footage actually survived from the 40's, but I guess there seems to be quite a bit of it that did.)
Thanks for your input regardless,
Dan Taylor

Re: Oesau's 109 in this gun camera image?
 

Well, if John's info on the a/c is correct, and I have no reason to believe it's not, the a/c itself would have an interesting story to tell. According to Prien/Rodeike, it was built at WNF between Jun and Aug 1943 -- series 20 000 to 20 800. It must have spent a full tour somewhere before being brought into Erla-Antwerp, RW E (what it is), or B&V in early 1944 to be converted to the DB 605AS engine. Then it would have been given to Walter Oesau for the last months/weeks of his life.

Does anyone know more about the travels of this a/c?