[Stormfighter]

I recently acquired the Soldbuch belonging to Oberfähnrich Karl-Friedrich Lange, which included his Sofort-Gefechtsmeldung (Immediate After Action Report) from 6 March 1944. The information in the report sheds some new light on Frey's victories. The report reveals that Lange took off at 1430 in an Fw 190 having the tactical nr. 2 under the leadership of Hauptmann Frey. Lange and Frey also took off with Hauptmann Anton Hackl, the Gruppenkommandeur of the III./J.G. 11, and Unteroffizier Gluttig of the 7./J.G. 11. At 1500, the pilots sighted 60 to 80 B-17s. They attacked the rearmost formation and immediately were engaged by Thunderbolts, leading to dog fights. Lange's report reveals that he shot down a B-17 during the attack, which crashed near Staphorst in the Netherlands. I checked Missing Air Crew Report 2916 and there is no doubt that Lange shot down the B-17 piloted by 2nd Lt Charles F. Wagner of the 731st Bomb Squadron of the 452nd Bomb Group. I have a strong feeling that this B-17 was counted toward Frey's total when it should have been counted as Oberfähnrich Lange's victory.

I am wondering who was flying as Frey's wingman that day - was it Gluttig or Lange? Since Frey and Gluttig both were members of the 7./J.G. 11, I assume that Gluttig was Frey's wingman. If this was the case, then Lange would have flown as Hackl's wingman for this mission. Incidentally, Lange flew back toward Germany and due to lack of fuel, he had to make an emergency landing in Rheda/Westfalen. The landing took place at 1600 without damage to Lange's Fw 190. Lange would be wounded in aerial combat on 8 March 1944.

Barry