[Skipper]

Hi, Brian!

Many thanks for your speedy and helpful reply.

It's funny you should mention Franz Schaar as according to the Luftwaffe claims database Schaar actually claimed a B-17 at 11:25 - just 2 minutes after "my" B-17 BT gunner claimed his 190. (Sorry, my initial post said 11:25 but should read 11:23).

Maybe clocks or recording of timings were slightly different between the two sides or in the heat of combat - maybe Schaar made a claim just immediately prior to being shot down? The database records his claim at 8,000m which ties in with the 25,000ft I quoted earlier. Schaar's claim is attributed to Sektor "HC" near the town of Helmstedt which is some 30km away where he bailed out to.

Could he be the one? It would be VERY interesting if he was as I have seen his photo on the net with the very aircraft you mention!

Thanks again, Brian!

Can anyone else confirm whether this claim might have been Schaar or indeed someone else from JG4?

I have to say that my impression of events, given the quotes from the USAAF Combat Report, was that the FW 190 pilot fell to his death. Maybe he did not but only waited to open his chute once out of the bomber stream and nearer terrafirma?!

Best wishes,
Graham Herbertson