[Pieter H]

Assumingen the location indication "Gembloux" is correct, we now have an identified a/c (T6+DS of 8./StG2) but not yet a match to a reported loss.
Looking at the state of the a/c it made a nice emergency landing - probably due to engine trouble - so at least the pilot should be unhurt.

There are then two possible scenarios:
a. the a/c was (temporarily) allocated to another Staffel and the loss should then be recorded under another Staffel than 8./StG2
b. it is an apparently unreported loss of 8./StG2.
Given the very consistent reporting of losses, a. should be a more likely scenario. Especially 2./StG2 had suffered some serious losses around Maastricht and later Gembloux, so not impossible they borrowed some crews and/or machines.
If I look at the StG2 losses around Gembloux that fulfill the above criteria, I find 3 possible candidates:
1. 2./StG2 at Attenhoven May 11, crew Drylander and Chuchra
2. 7./StG2 E. of St Truiden May 12. Crew unknown but a/c reported a write-off, so not very likley.
3. 2./StG2 near Gembloux May 15, crew Brausch-Borrmann both badly wounded.
A transfer of a machine between 8. and 7. Staffel would be most likely, but then this is exactly the less likely match. Personally I consider an exchange between 8. and 2. Staffel at this stage a bit far-fetched.

So let's look at scenario b. Normally that would be a useless excercise, if not in this case for a very strange story. In his Victoire de la Chasse Britannique by Arnaud Gillet he includes the story (p.207) of an Uffz Valerian Dill of 8./StG2, who told he was shot down over Gembloux on May 15 and made an emergency landing there. He did not succeed in setting his machine on fire. But then 2 Ju87 landed next to them, took Dill and his gunner Lieberrenz on board, and flew them back to their base. The surroundings on the picture at least would allow such a landing and take-off, it all looks very flat and extended.
A very remarkable story, to say the least. Also Gillet only included it as a curiosity. Nevertheless we can now ask ourselves the question: is this strange story of Dill linked to the T6+DS???? But if so, why is it not reported in the loss lists?

Any ideas?

Pieter