My father, Lt. Thomas A. Parks, Jr. was first pilot on B-17 42-3546. He flew with the 96th BG, 339 Sq out of Snetterton Heath, England.

On November 29, 1943, on his 9th mission, he and his crew were shot down over Bremen, Germany sometime shortly after "Bombs Away". Bombs away was at 14:41 and I have come across information that at 14:52 Oberleutnant Walter Lardy (4./ZG 26) claims to have shot down a B-17 in the vicinity of Eystrup, Germany (SE of Bremen) This is the same area my father and his entire crew were captured after bailing out.

From all the information I have been able to gather, I am pretty sure Oblt Lardy is the guy but I am writing a book and I would to have as many details regarding Lardy as I can lay my hands on. It seems he was a Staffelkapitan and may have been awarded Iron Crosses (one first class and one second).

It also seems he flew with 3./JG 103 and it also seems that in his entire career during the war... Oblt. Lardy only shot down one plane... My father's. Dad would have seen the humor in that. He was that kind of guy.

Specifically, I would like to know, if it can be known, what airfield Walter Lardy flew out of that day.

Also I'd like to know what type of aircraft Lardy was flying that day. My father reported that after bombs away they were attacked from 12 O'clock level by an echelon of 10 ME110s or JG87s. His B-17 had been critically damaged by AAA just moments before the attack so I have always given him a break on not being able to provide an exact ID on the fighters. At that moment he was a really, really busy 21-year-old.

Other than that... Any and ALL tidbits are welcome.

Thanks for your help.

Tom