Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry Hickey
I'm trying to confirm that the aircraft actually fell on the German side of the border. Since Uffz Winker was apparently recovered by the Germans and undoubtedly hospitalized, and there is no indication that he bailed out, I would assume that the plane also came down on German territory. Does anyone have any information to confirm this, and do photos possibly exist of this crash or Uffz Winker?
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Good evening Larry & Franck !
To give a confirmation if German/French territory or not is a tricky thing at those days in September 1939.
The presumed location Überherrn is a good example. In 1937, my "V.B. Strassen-Atlas von Deutschland" shows Überherrn clearly in Germany. But very close to the French border.
From late August 1939, the population was evacuated from there as "Red Zone" inhabitants to safer places in the Reich, since an attack of French troops was expected in the area due to the German attack on Poland. So, only very , very little people were and are available to obtain statements about those days.
When the war was declared on Sept. 3rd, French troops started a minor offensive towards the Saar in this area, holding finally a 15 km wide front area and about 50 German villages. One of this villages was Überherrn. The German Forces reinforced and were planning a counterstroke to recover the ground, French Army had hold. By the end of October 1939, all French troops were back to their defence lines.,
Larry, you see that your question is moving in a no-mans land that time and an exact spot of the a/c's crash should be available. On the French side, the 42ème D.I. was in this area those days. If it is Überherrn, it was on my opinion in Germany on temporary French hold soil.
Best wishes !
Horst Weber