Lancaster W4948 shot down over Driby on night of 22/23rd Sep 43
 

Hi,
trying to find out who (German night fighter) shot down Lancaster W4948 DX-S from 57 Sqn over Driby, Lincolnshire as it was returning from a mission to Hanover on the night of the 22/23 Sep 1943.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Bryan

Re: Lancaster W4948 shot down over Driby on night of 22/23rd Sep 43
 

Credited to Major Wolf Dietrich Meister - Stab V./KG 2.

The location was Digby in Lincolnshire.

(Source: Nachtjagd War Diaries Vol 1 by Dr Theo W Boiten)

Re: Lancaster W4948 shot down over Driby on night of 22/23rd Sep 43
 

Hi,
many thanks for that quick reply. Could you confirm if he was flying an Me410? Also would anyone know the fate of Wolf Dietrich Meister?

Thanks again

Bryan

Re: Lancaster W4948 shot down over Driby on night of 22/23rd Sep 43
 

The above mentioned book confirms that the intruders were flying Me-410's.
Volume 2 also lists Meister as having survived the war but that is followed by a '?' so there may be some doubt with that.

At the time of the attack Meister was the Gruppenkommandeur of V./KG 2. He went on to be the Geschwaderkommodore of KG 51 'Edelweiss' as an Oberstleutnant.

Re: Lancaster W4948 shot down over Driby on night of 22/23rd Sep 43
 

Many thanks,
yesterday I met Bert Cherrington, shot down Sep '43 by Meister over his base as he was coming into land; he and another were the only 2 to survive. He came to look at the Lancaster and RAF Coningsby and share his experiences and logbook. He had no idea who or what had shot them down. This was his 5th Op, later he went on to 617 Sqn and flew on the Tirpitz missions.

Bryan

Re: Lancaster W4948 shot down over Driby on night of 22/23rd Sep 43
 

He survived the war as he helped with the post-war KG 51 history. I am sure that Larry or Doug will have his bio

Re: Lancaster W4948 shot down over Driby on night of 22/23rd Sep 43
 

Does anybody know where this aircraft crashed, some references state "Driby", others "North of East Kirkby" or "Sauls Field Farm near Spilsby"?

Re: Lancaster W4948 shot down over Driby on night of 22/23rd Sep 43
 

One report says aircraft was in the circuit at East Kirby and crashed near Spilsby. Another record says over Driby.