Spit PR shot down 5 March 1042
 

Hi!

Can aynone give me the identity of both the pilot (POW) and the Spit PR shot down over Brest on 5 March 1942?
For the record, his victor was Heinz Knoke.
Thanks in advance.

Chris

Re: Spit PR shot down 5 March 1042
 

Spitfire PR.IV AA810 - 1 PRU, F/Lt A.D.M.Gunn baled out and captured, murdered by Gestapo following the Great Escape in April 1944

The location is not Brest but Trondheim, Norway. Credit to the victory was given to Dieter Gerhardt, Knoke's wingman

Re: Spit PR shot down 5 March 1042
 

Than you, Andreï.
Brest is my mistake.
However, I have a report from Knoke stating that he personaly shot down the aircraft and that he was given a French brandy bottle by his Kommandeur for his victory.

Re: Spit PR shot down 5 March 1042
 

http://ktsorens.tihlde.org/flyvrak/beverdalen.html

Faenor

Re: Spit PR shot down 5 March 1042
 

Great!
Thanks for sharing.

Re: Spit PR shot down 5 March 1042
 

My source is Jim Perry's claim lists (the one, called "Claims West" to be exact), which could be found here: http://don-caldwell.we.bs/claims/tonywood.htm

In his memoir "I Flew for the Führer" Knoke mentioned, that it was Ltn Gerhard, who finished the Spitfire off. He also mentioned the bottle of brandy, describing that he shared it with Gerhard and even that they give a drink to already captured Alastair Gunn.

Re: Spit PR shot down 5 March 1042
 

Faenor, thank you for the link, great website!

However, CWGC listed the date of F/Lt Gunn's death as 6 April, 1944

Re: Spit PR shot down 5 March 1042
 

Great!
Thanks.

Re: Spit PR shot down 5 March 1042
 

Gunn was murdered following recapture after participating in Tthe Great Escape I believe

Re: Spit PR shot down 5 March 1042
 

He was.