Luftwaffe claim 18 Sept 1944 - Auster
 

As we are discussing Auster claims anyway.... does anybody have an idea about the following claim/loss;

18.09.44, 12.04 hrs, Auster, Hasselt-Maastricht area in 10 mtrs height.

Claim was made by Uffz. Findeisen of 7./JG 6.

I always wondered which loss can be connected....

KR
John

Re: Luftwaffe claim 18 Sept 1944 - Auster
 

Seemingly Piper as it was US area. No Auster losses anyway.

Re: Luftwaffe claim 18 Sept 1944 - Auster
 

I gathered that both US Army divisions of XIX Corps (2nd Armored and 30th Infantry) already had moved from Belgian Limburg province well into the southern part of Dutch Limburg by that time.

If I recall correctly, the question of an 'Auster' on 18 Sept 1944 was raised before on TOCH, but the thread was lost due to one of this site's major hiccups.

British AOP No. 653, 658 and 662 Squadrons in the area record no incidents indeed.

US divisions involved in just started Market Garden (82nd and 101st AB) only received their Cubs after 18 Sept.

The possibility of the 'friendly' shoot down of a straying German Storch was also discussed (as far as my memory goes), but no corresponding loss known (?).

Leendert

Re: Luftwaffe claim 18 Sept 1944 - Auster
 

May I add that USAAF 153rd Liaison Squadron with L-5s had a Flight in Eastern Belgium around that time, but no incident reported on 18 Sep 1944 in War Diary.

Leendert

Re: Luftwaffe claim 18 Sept 1944 - Auster
 

I understand Maastricht direction was responsibility of the US 30th ID. British AOP Squadrons were further north, and there is no mention of any engagement on the day, indeed. I have not checked communication squadrons, but I doubt they were involved.

Re: Luftwaffe claim 18 Sept 1944 - Auster
 

Hi all

This was previously discussed in this thread:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=56400

...With the victim given as 2.(H)./10 Fw. Walter S Boker KIA

Re: Luftwaffe claim 18 Sept 1944 - Auster
 

Yeah, a friendly incident was discussed but I do not believe this. A Storch flying in that area seems to me far fetched.... The details of the claim of Uffz. Findeisen are so specific I am sure something must have happened...

Re: Luftwaffe claim 18 Sept 1944 - Auster
 

Acknowledged,

Perhaps the Storch flown by Boker was lost in a different area?

Re: Luftwaffe claim 18 Sept 1944 - Auster
 

I do not believe that Stfw. Walter Böker, born 01.03.1912, was actually flying a Storch that day. I think he was killed during ground combat and only because he was previously 2.(H)/10 people think he was a pilot. I have seen no evidence at all that he was flying a Fi 156 or that actually a Storch was lost....

Re: Luftwaffe claim 18 Sept 1944 - Auster
 

Quite, I do not think friendly fire is likely. Could be an overclaim, but you would need to dig through US papers, which is not necessarily easy. I have been told there are documents at Fort Rucker still packed since 1945.