Re: USAAF Mosquito 9-4-1945
 

Dear Leendert,

Thank your very much for reference to the army unit web page. It would appear that indeed the Mosquito was shot down by a P-51 with roundels.

I wonder which RCAF or RAF unit claimed a victory on this day at this location? Claude Moore always said the Mustangs carried French roundels, but I could find no French AF units assigned Mustangs during the war. Therefore, I concluded the P-51s were RCAF/RAF or, Claude may have mistaken a flak burst, with being shot down by fighters. Obviously, Claude is correct.

It is interesting the US Army soldier thought the burned and bloodied body on the stretcher was an escaping German pilot?

Norman Malayney

Re: USAAF Mosquito 9-4-1945
 

Presumably due to popular belief, that Germans were using captured uniforms and equipment. Kampfgruppe Peiper certainly did not help to dissolve the myth.
PAF Mustang claims were over Hamburg that day, and I am not sure if there were any RAF claims that day. The place allows no conclusions, but what was the time?

Re: USAAF Mosquito 9-4-1945
 

Gentlemen,

According to Claude's wristwatch it stopped at 1745 hours. It is interesting that the soldier guarding the road, cut off a piece of silk as a souvenir. I now presume that when the infantry men made the stretcher from two heavy branches and their jackets, they must have pulled the parachute canopy down from the branches and used the silk shroud to cushion the stretcher when they laid Claude Moore on top?

Norman Malayney

Re: USAAF Mosquito 9-4-1945
 

BTW

I have just found out Claude Moore and Nelson Griffin did meet up post war! I have asked for permission to post the details..

Paul

Re: USAAF Mosquito 9-4-1945
 

As Franek has noted the Poles claimed 3/0/1 Me-262s 15 miles W of Hamburg at 1755 (306 and 309 Sqns). Later claims in the day are by Tempests (Me-108s) and Mosquitos (Ju-88/188s). The only other claim for the day is an Me-262 dam SW of Hamburg between 1552 and 1925 by F/O A D Woodcock of 64 Sqn in Mustang III HB949.

I do not have any French claims on this date in my database.

Frank.

Re: USAAF Mosquito 9-4-1945
 

Anything from the USAAF fighters Frank?

edit - This site:

http://www.swissmustangs.ch/20214/20...session*id*val*

says the Free French started receiving Mustangs (recce) in March '45

Re: USAAF Mosquito 9-4-1945
 

And this site:

http://www.mustang.gaetanmarie.com/a...nce/france.htm

has French Mustangs operating in about the right area at the time.

Re: USAAF Mosquito 9-4-1945
 

Dear Mark,

Thank you for the web site providing information on French Air Force P-51 Mustangs. It appears Claude Moore is indeed correct regarding French markings on the Mustangs, and I did not believe him.

Gentlemen, may I apologize for my mis-information regarding the attacking Mustangs having British-type roundels. Claude Moore's claim of French markings should not have been omitted/altered from his interview.

Prior to enlistment in the USAAF, Claude was a lawyer, and post-war formed and operated a brokerage company selling stocks, bonds, etc. He died 15 June 2003.

Norman Malayney

Re: USAAF Mosquito 9-4-1945
 

Hi guys

This might sound a silly question - but were the French rece Mustangs armed?

Cheers
Brian

Re: USAAF Mosquito 9-4-1945
 

AFAIK all the Mustang recce variants were armed, usually 4 mgs.