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-   -   Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau? (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=3168)

Lagarto 10th November 2005 22:15

Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
 
Hi everybody

Here's the story (I'm quoting from www.luftwaffe.cz): On 11 May 1944, Oesau, leading three aircraft of the Stabsschwarm, took off from Paderborn to intercept Allied bombers raiding north-eastern Belgium and Luxembourg. During his attack on the bombers he was bounced by escorting P-38s. In the ensuing combat he was shot down and killed in his Bf 109 G-6/AS (W.Nr. 20 601) “Green 13” near St Vith.

I know there was a vicious 20-minute-long dogfight at treetops, before Oesau fell.
The problem is I can't find a single comfirmed victory by a P-38 pilot on that day! Anyone knows any details? At least, which group was responsible for downing the famed Kommodore JG 1.

heinz 11th November 2005 12:42

Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
 
Oesau has been probably shot down by the Lt James L. Down (428th fighter squadron , 474th fighter group ,9th Air Force ).

It's impossible to find a victory claim for a Me 109 by a P38 that day in the sector because Doyle don't known that he had shot down the Oesau's 109 .

Lagarto 11th November 2005 14:08

Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
 
Thank you! Yes indeed I haven't found any confirmed victories for 474th FG on that day.
Ironically, Oesau wasn't the first Luftwaffe ace downed by a P-38 pilot and not registered among USAAF victories. When on 25th Nov. 1943 Lt. Aldecoa of 55 FG collided in a head-on pass with Maj. Seifert, Gruppenkommandeur II./JG 26, both pilots perished. Aldecoa was filed by Germans as Seifert's 57th and last victory, while Aldecoa was never credited his 'kill', at least not until the end of WWII.

Christer Bergström 11th November 2005 18:11

Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
 
The same with the guy who shot down Walter Schuck's Me 262 on 10 April 1945.

JACK COOK 11th November 2005 20:43

Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
 
Steve Blake wrote about this combat extensively in his old 'Fighter Pilots in Aerial combat" magazine in the early 80s. I have it some where. They figured out the pilot who downed Oesau actually received only a damaged credit. He was, I beleive Lt Wilbur Jarvis.

Lagarto 12th November 2005 00:04

Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
 
Jack, would it be possible for you to dig it up and scan for me? I'd be very grateful.
If so, pls mail me at: tomlagarto(at)tlen(dot)pl

heinz 12th November 2005 10:53

Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
 
Jarvis was the N°2 in the Green Flight lead by Doyle .
Only Doyle and Jarvis had shoot on enemy aircrafts .
But Doyle has noted some shot on the german leader Me 109 , in the cockpit area .

Eagle0025 26th November 2005 21:51

Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
 
I am the historian of the 474th FG Association (WWII) and I have a definitive answer for you. Walter Oesau was shot down by 1Lt. James L. "Pappy" Doyle of the 428th FS, 474th FG. Oesau was chased by Doyle, 1st Lt. Wilbur L. Jarvis III, and 1st Lt. James C. Austin, all of Green Flight. They chased Oesau from high altitude down to the deck. The fight lasted almost 20 minutes when Oesau's Bf109 was hit and crippled. Oesau attempted to make an emergency landing and was shot down a couple of feet above the ground. Oesau's body was found in the vicinity of his wrecked 109 with several bullet wounds presumed shot dead before his aircraft hit the ground. Oesau was flying Bf109G-6/AS, werknummer 20601, "Grun 13". Gun camera footage from Doyle's P-38 clearly showed a Bf109G-6/AS marked Green 13, painted in RLM 76 and a red RVT band. This information puts to rest the last flight of Walter Oesau.

Lagarto 27th November 2005 14:40

Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
 
Thank you very much, that's a great piece of info!

Christer Bergström 27th November 2005 19:00

Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
 
Wasn't Oeasu attacked first by these 474th FG Lightnings, and shortly afterward 354th FG Mustangs also intervened to have a "slice of the cake", possibly delivering the coup de grace against Oesau's already crippled '109?




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