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Old 25th October 2013, 05:57
Andrew Arthy Andrew Arthy is offline
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Re: Mosquito claim over Rumania on 3 August 1944

Hi Alex,

Here is a very rough translation of the first-hand account in Prien:

"When our Rotte had approached almost within firing range, we were spotted by the enemy machine and he tried to escape us with emergency power - both engines emitted thin but visible exhaust streaks behind them. We then had no chance to catch up to it, and so Lt. Riedel from a very great distance - probably around 800 metres - fired off a long burst, more in frustration than in hope of hitting something. But immediately afterwards an engine began emitting smoke, becoming stronger and stronger, and as Hans Riedel roared over the radio: 'I got him, I got him!', the crew jumped out in front of us and took to their chutes." [Prien, Jagdgeschwader 77, p.2114]

Given the speed of the aircraft, I don't think it was a Halifax. The reference to "crew" rather than "pilot" would also eliminate a P-38 as a possibility (assuming, of course, that the first-hand account is accurate!).

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.facebook.com/airwarpublications
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