Was it an FW190 or an ME110?
 

I am researching an incident from the night of 2/3 June 1944 over Trappes, France, which involved the crash of 158 Sqn Halifax LV921. Theo Boiten has attributed this claim to Ltn. Frithjof Fensch of NJG 4, who flew an ME110. However, the sole survivor of this crash has said it was an FW190 that hit them.

Theo says there were no single-engine squadrons operating in the area that night, so I am happy with his call on this one, but I am wondering how the mistaken ID might have happened. Any suggestions?

It might just be a case of a faulty memory hardened into a dearly held belief. The survivor, who died in Feb 2009, was the navigator, so he wasn't in the best position to know, I would think. Or, was there some similarity in the a/cs that might have prompted the mistake?

Re: Was it an FW190 or an ME110?
 

Hello,

Misidentification of opponents by night bomber crews was a very common occurence during WW2. Bomber Command combat reports mention numerous encounters with single-engined fighters at a time (before summer 1943) when the Luftwaffe was not using them at night. This fact has even struck RAF intelligence when they captured a XII. Fligerkorps document listing German victories at night: none were claimed by single-engined fighters between December 1942 and June 1943.

Best wishes.

Jérémie

Re: Was it an FW190 or an ME110?
 

Thanks Jeremie, that is helpful to know it was a common mistake.

Re: Was it an FW190 or an ME110?
 

Hello,


CIEL DE GUERRE
Nachtjagdgeschwader 4


03.06.44 Hptm. Hans Autenrieth Stab II./NJG 4 4-mot. Flzg. £ BD-1: 1.800 m. [Trappes] 01.00 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: Nr.9 03.06.44 Ltn. Frithjof Fensch 4./NJG 4 4-mot. Flzg. £ BD-3: 3.000 m. [Trappes] 01.00 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: Nr.18