[Karoband]

Gentlemen,

I would like to propose a conjecture concerning Me 262 A-2a W.Nr. 130026 9K+AL that was shot down, probably by German flak, on 12 September 1944 over Elden, Netherlands, killing Unteroffizier Herbert Schauder of 3./KG 51.

There are two conflicting accounts of the take-off point for this aircraft:

1. Dan O'Connell, Production Log, (2005), p. 28:

"130026 Call sign VI+AZ. Me 262 S21. Me 262 A-2a. ... Uffz. Herbert Schauder of Kommando Schenck, (3./KG 51) was KIA on 12 September at Elden near Arnheim, after taking off from Rheine, when he was shot down by flak, possibly German ..."

2. Forsyth with Creek, Me 262 Bomber and Reconnaissance Units, (2012), p. 25:

"... On the 12th the Me 262A-2a of Unteroffizier Herbert Schnauder[sic] of 3./KG 51 was hit as it overflew the viaduct over the Waal near Elden, 3.5 km southwest of Arnhem, while on a ferry flight from Volkel to Rheine. The pilot was killed in the ensuing crash..."

As well, Forsyth states on p. 23, "... Then, on 3 September, approximately 130 RAF Lancasters bombed Volkel, destroying two of the Kommando's Me 262s, including Schenck's aircraft..." Moreover, Smith & Creek, Me 262 Volume Two, (1998), p. 369 identifies it as "... Schenck's own aircraft, W.Nr. 170016 ...", which Nick Beale's Einsatzkommando 51 (Page 2) on the Ghostbomber site gives "HL" as its aircraft code.

My conjecture is that the code for a commander's aircraft would have been an "A" rather than an "H" and that 130026 was Schenck's aircraft that was damaged, rather than destroyed, in the bombing raid at Volkel on 3 September. Repaired by 12 September, Schenck's personal aircraft was ready to be ferried by Schauder from Volkel to Rheine.

THIS IS JUST A CONJECTURE based on Forsyth's statement. I HAVE NO DOCUMENTARY PROOF ... and if Dan O'Connell is correct then my conjecture cannot stand.

Does anyone have information that can support or refute this conjecture?

Best regards,

Jim Geens