RAF fighter loss on 3rd Sept'44
 

Dear all,

We are investigating a crash site at Hückelhoven ( near Erkelenz) , Germany. We found a tail wheel which we are sure is coming from a Spitfire ( probably a MK IX) .

According to locals, there was begin of Sept'44 a dog fight between fighters . The plane ( English markings) was shot down and the pilot landed with a parachute nearby and was taken POW.
On 3rd Sept'44 there were Ramrod raids at several Air Fields in the Netherlands which could fit with the crash.

Looking at several publications, we couldn't find a match .

I would like to know if someone can help identifying the squadron and pilot involved ; Also of interest would be which German Jagdgeschwader was active in this area on this date.

I appreciate your help in this matter.
Thanks,

Karl

Re: RAF fighter loss on 3rd Sept'44
 

Karl I think it was a Typhoon. I am working the same site as I am near Geilenkirchen. Please contact me via e-mail at aviation.archaeologist@gmail.com
Send me your phone number and I will give you a call in the evening.
We can communicate in German by the way. Danny

Re: RAF fighter loss on 3rd Sept'44
 

Hello Danny,

Many thanks for your answer. We don't believe it was a Typhoon. There were in fact Typhoon crashes near Hückelhoven, but they were on a later date in January 1945.

Our tailwheel has following identification markings : Dunlop AH 2184 / IX which we are sure is coming from a Spitfire. The tailwheel from a Typhoon should have larger dimensions.

This crash site gives us several questions : We found a spitfire tailwheel ; we have local people who witnessed the crash as of begin September 1944 during a dogfight with German fighters ; the pilot parachuted to safety and was a POW.
Up to now, we found no evidence in any recent published literature ; even in Vol 2 of the 2nd Tactical A. F. from C. Shores & C. Thomas there is no match.

On 3rd Sept.' 44 there was a raid on Venlo Airfield ( and other Dutch airfields) which is nearby Huckelhoven. The raid was carried out with Lancasters and Halifaxes ( Rodeo 1258) with fighter protection. Could it be coming from one of these squadrons ?

We would appriciate any information to solve this mystery !

Thanks for your support.

Karl

Re: RAF fighter loss on 3rd Sept'44
 

Karl, the tyre is 100% from a Spitfire. But, like you said, there are no recorded Fighter Command or 2nd TAF Spitfire losses for the 3rd September 44. Matter of fact, there are no Spitfire losses recorded in your area before 45. The only exceptions are Photo Recce Spitfires of the Brits and Americans. Also a very weak chance is a French Spitfire. I wonder if the date is incorrect and causing us to look the wrong way. What would help is to revisit the site and look if you can find ammo/shells. If not it could be aRecce Spitfire and alas there are no loss records for the Photo Recon units. Danny

Re: RAF fighter loss on 3rd Sept'44
 

Karl, the only Luftwaffe score against a Spitfire on 3 September 1944 was over the France. There were no combats listed in our specific area on the 3rd either. Danny

Re: RAF fighter loss on 3rd Sept'44
 

Karl, the three US Spitfire losses in the months of August-September 1944 are all known and can thus be excluded from the list of possibles. Danny

Re: RAF fighter loss on 3rd Sept'44
 

Would this be of interest?
Name: CHATTIN, PETER WARREN
Initials: P W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Warrant Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 41 Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 03/09/1944
Service No: 1239825
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Olive K. Chattin, of Brierley Hill, Staffordshire; husband of Irene E. Chattin.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: III.C.13.
Cemetery: GEEL WAR CEMETERY
41 Sqdn were flying Spitfires, so might be a match?
Now, I don't know how far Geel is from the crash site, I'll leave it to you guys to tell us!!

Re: RAF fighter loss on 3rd Sept'44
 

The 41 Squadron Spitfire on 3 Sep 44 was EN622 and crashed at Neerhespen, Belgium. Pilot was W/O Chattin indeed.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: RAF fighter loss on 3rd Sept'44
 

And according to Horrido and his eyewitnesses, the pilot survived. I am sure the date is wrong, but I went back to the beginning of 44 and then forward to the end of the war and could not find a match, weird. Danny