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Gefr. Rudolf FRANKE (JG 26)'s unknown crashplace
Hello,
I would like to know the right crashplace of Gefr. Rudolf FRANKE (2./ JG 26), killed on the 18/03/44 during a bombing training mission.
In the VLM and Honor book, the crashplace is written as "ACHENY" sic. However this location doesn't exist.
This strange name may be a mispelling for "ACHÊNE" in Belgium or "ACHERY" in France (+/- 130 km between).
Franke was firstly buried in Heldenfriedhof Dinant (Houx) in Belgium. So we can presumed he crashed in Belgium even if there are exceptions to the rule.
A village named "Achêne" is situated roughly 15 km SE of Houx which should be a tempting location.
Mr Caldwell quotes the practice bombing mission near Namur (B) BUT the loss occured on a place mentionned as "Münster-Achery', adding some confusion!
Another source wrote also that Franke crashed ON the training range of ACHERY from a low level.
61st FS P-47's claimed also some FW 190's from Cambrai to Givet, the global combat area thus matches.
Is anyone willing to enlight his crashplace and/or confirm the bombing range near Achery cause I am a little bit lost...?
Matching is indeed a match.
I thank you beforehand of your attention and send my best regards.
ClinA-78
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