Originally Posted by ClinA-78 (Post 143089)

Hello Brumic,

By pure chance, I found some info's related to an Horpsmaal (sic.) field or at least related to St Trond airdrome air activity during the messy period of Retreat-before Liberation timeframe.

On the 28/08/44, III./JG 27 came frome Lappion-Boncourt to Horpsmaal (sic). I don't know if it is connected to Horpmaal (10 km SE of St Trond/Brustem airdrome) or Orsmaal satellite field cause the spelling mistake. Whatever, on the 29th a straffing occured there leading to 22 probably damaged/destroyed Bf 109 and causing the death of at least 3 ground crew of 9./JG 27.
Moreover, Uffz. Rudolf WEITZ's Bf 109 G-6/U2 (WNr.413732, 10./JG 27) seems to have been brought down by its own Flak during a emergency take-off.
J-B Frappé in "La Luftwaffe face au Débarquement allié en Normandie" confirms both those casualities (he quotes 25 ea) and the ORSMAAL spelling.

The 353rd FG claims 18-0-7 on the 29th on A/D 30 miles N-E of BRUSSELS 4VK 0473 but it sees to be Le Culot/Beauvechain airdrome where Capt. Smith was KIA by Flak. I./JG 4 was there at that moment.

Well nothing easy with this messy period.

Hope it helps

ClinA-78