Franz Koester JV 44
 

Uffz. Franz Koester of JV 44 according to Robert Forsyth's book "JV 44 The Galland Circus" shot down a P-51 Mustang and a P-38 Lightening on the 25 Apr 1945. Is there any confirmation of these in USAAF losses for that day and were these in the area of Salzburg. Reason being is that the Soviets lost a Pe-2 in the area of Ramsau-Vorberg, NE of Salzburg. If not does any one know of another German unit that might have claimed. The other possible cause was a U.S. Fighter claiming a "Bf 110" but an Austria police officer stated it was a German fighter.

Re: Franz Koester JV 44
 

While checking the "Kracker Luftwaffe Pilot Archive" website for Koester it had for the 25 Apr 1945 that he shot down two "P-51 Mustangs" but I believe that Forsyth has it closer. It did have that these were made in Salzburg which puts me closer to the answer I'm trying to find. The twin engines and the tail configuration of the Pe-2 might be confused with the P-38 of a fast moving Me 262 in a rear or frontal attack. So unless a P-38 went down or a Me 110 was claimed in that area this might be the answer I'm looking to find. If so it would be JV 44's only kill against the Soviet VVS.

Re: Franz Koester JV 44
 

After going into this further it turns out instead of a Pe-2 it was a Soviet Boston that was shot down at Salzburg on the 25 Apr 1945. So did Koester just misidentify his twin engine victory?