[Pieter H]

Hi Larry,

Thanks for the info.
I'm still a bit lost.

Let's assume the picture by Clin is the T6+LR of 7./StG2, shot down on May 12 near St Trond.
However:
- the fact that it is in an orchard does not prove it is near St Trond (which is indeed the fruit region of Belgium). Also in the Maastricht area extending into the Voerstreek/Fourons in Belgium there are/were lots of orchards.
- so why say the loss is near St Trond if the backside of the picture says "Fourons"?
- but even if that is true, there was a crash in Schophem/St Martens Voeren of a (StG2) Stuka. If you go to the local Fourons-history website they clearly state it was May 10.
- In sources - that are often not aircraft experts - there is mentioning of the letter L and nr 442. They mention there are nine pictures of the crash!
- I think nobody (at least not me) suggested that the a/c was shot down by the big canons of the Aubin fortress. It was of course the anti-aircraft (machine) guns of the fort. I don't see why that was not possible, although I do expect the a/c was already hit in an earlier attack and flying low enough to be fired at by the fort AA guns. Alternatively, this fortress resisted for 11 days and was continuously bombed by Stukas. One could be hit during one of these attacks.
- From what I can see on the - very bad - picture is according Ketley and Rolfe the III. Gruppe emblem (in fact they don't list any 7. Staffel emblem).
- According the local historian Pütz it was a 9. Staffel a/c

All this makes that I still think this picture is the May 10 crash at Schophem St Martens Voeren, most likely a 9. machine.

Pieter