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Re: P-51 loss on 2 April 1945
Thanks to everybody
I agree that Lt Sodermark might be the right man. The MACR was written just two days after his loss, but there is nothing in it about efforts to find him, maybe because he was found shortly later. So he might be the man in the story of the German website, one day of difference by the German witness being understandable.
The original burial location of Bensheim is close enough. If a spotter plane (identified as a Storch by the German witness, but probably an American Piper Cub) landed and took the wounded/died pilot, it is not so far away, even by road.
Bensheim was taken by the 45th Infantry Division on 27 March 1945. The 103rd US Infantry Division was also there, but only later (after 7 April 1945). So I will now search confirmation of this story in 45th Division papers and stories.
Edited: the 45th Infantry Division went NE and was no more there on 1 April 1945, at least most of it. Troops of US XXI Corps (12th Armored, 4th and 42nd Infantry Divisions) were also in the area. So a lot of possibilities to find a needle...
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