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Who shot down Hptm Rolf Pingel?
Pingel was captured near Dover on 10 Jul 41. Foreman says that he was credited to Smigielski of 306 Sqn at 1040 hrs. However, the Northolt Wing did not get airborne until 1140 hrs, landing 1340 hrs and in any case the Stn diary says: "1 Me 109 was chased and fired at and was originally claimed as destroyed as it made a crash-landing near Dover but investigation proved it had not been hit". Pingel's K Report says he followed a Stirling over the English coast without opening fire and then his engine failed & he crash-landed at 1340 hrs. He says he saw Spitfires but was not sure if they attacked him. Can anyone confirm one way or another-was it 306 Sqn or a rear gunner from 7 Sqn?
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