[hautemarnechris]

I'm researching the crash in July 1944 of a Sterling aircraft carrying special forces troops. After 9 years of effort I know just about everything concerning the crash except its cause. The most plausible explanation seems to be pilot error in very adverse weather conditions. The aircraft was making a box search for the Drop Zone when it hit high ground (about 500 metres) near the village of Graffigny-Chemin in Northern France. It had just exited a severe electrical storm. The navigator who survived the crash told me that he was trying to fix the aircraft's position using Gee just before it crashed. Also, that his flight plan shouldn't have taken them lower than 2000 feet except for the run-up to the DZ itself.

However, there remains some doubt in my mind because, for example, a contemporary report says that the aircraft was on fire before it hit the ground. I know that German nightfighters were active in the area (two Lancaster bombers were shot down during the same week in the same area). I think, but am not certain, that nightfighters were based at nearby Neufchateau in July 1944.

I think the witness may have confused the exhaust flares from the engines for a fire on the aircraft. Also, my impression is that nightfighters operated against main bomber forces at relatively high altitudes rather than against single aircraft flying at low altitudes.

Nevertheless, I do want to deal with that aspect of the crash as thoroughly as I can. Can anybody suggest how I could find if any German nightfighters claimed a kill of a low-flying four engined aircraft in that area during the night of 22/23rd July 1944? Also, whether the airfield at Neufchateau was being used by Nightfighters in July 1944?

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.