What instructor pilot downed Chuck Yeager on 5 Mar 44?
 

Jagdgruppe West and JG 101 defended against a raid by 8th Air Force B-24s on Bergerac, Cognac, and other airfields in southwestern France on 5 March 1944. Lt. Chuck Yeager of the 357th FG was shot down by a Fw 190 near one of these airfields, evaded capture and reached Spain, but I have never turned up a claim for his P-51. Does anyone have a clue? While I have you, does anyone have any information on the losses and other claims of these two training units on this date?

Horrido! (woops, that should be Tallyho!)

Don Caldwell

Re: What instructor pilot downed Chuck Yeager on 5 Mar 44?
 

Don -
The FW 190 Pilot was Unteroffizier Irmfried Klotz.
After He shot down Yeager , He was shot down by
Capt. William O'Brien. He bailed out but his Chute
failed to Open and was KIA.
From Book: To War with The Yoxford Boys by
Merle Olmsted Pages 55 , 56.
Information from WW II French Historian Didier Fuentes.
Mike

Re: What instructor pilot downed Chuck Yeager on 5 Mar 44?
 

Thanks, Mike. I have Merle's earlier book and a number of his magazine articles, but haven't sprung for the big 'un yet.

The defensive efforts by the OTUs in western France against the 8th AF raids that came their way are little documented. Fortunately my recent postings have resulted in contact with a German enthusiast with much data on the subject, just in time to fill in some holes in the manuscript I'm working on.

Horrido!

Don

Re: What instructor pilot downed Chuck Yeager on 5 Mar 44?
 

Don -
Glad to help.
Merle's Last Book is Great - Hope you get it someday.
Cheers,
Mike

Re: What instructor pilot downed Chuck Yeager on 5 Mar 44?
 

Hey Don...care to share what you've got 'cooking' as it were?

Thx

NM