|
Re: Maj Franz Beyer opponents on 11 February 1944
Kutscha, the MACR says that circumstances of the loss ar unknown.
A testimony by 1st Lt Chester J Butcher, the wingman of Dufrene during this mission, is included. He saw a Bf 109 made a pass out of the sun towards Dufrene but did not see him firing. He then chased the Bf 109 with the flight leader but then noticed that Dufrene was no more with them, but 8 000 feet higher. Dufrene called and said he was bailing out but gave no reason. He appeared to be in no trouble, his plane flying smootly, his manner calm. Butcher then followed the flight leader into clouds and did not saw again Dufrene or his aircraft.
According to the MACR Dufrene was last sighted at 1130 hrs in Elsaffthal area, Germany. This area and Helden in Netherlands are both 150 km away from Erezée !
The evasion report of Lt Dufrene would be a very interesting reading.
If someone can remind me the time difference between US and German hours in February 1944, I will be very interested.
According to the Tony Wood file, IV./JG 3 made two claims for B-26s on 11 February 1944 at 1115 and 1120 hrs, one being in Valenciennes area. Claims against the 8th AIr Force started after midday.
The crash location in Erezée of Beyer could well have occured in an air battle starting in Valenciennes area. And B-26 formations were often escorted by RAF Spitfires, so it is still possible that Spitfires were involved, and that Dufrene aircraft crashed there some time later during the day.
Clin, did you have crash times for Beyer and/or Dufrene ?
|