[David E. Brown]

Jochen,

I went through some photos from Jim Crow’s collection and note below the identity of each and what he states on the back of each, presumably information / recollections from the American veterans from whom he obtained the photos:


Francella – 8728
Bf 109 G-6/U4, WNr.441744 “Black 9” of 11./IV.JG 27. Shot down in air combat on 31 July 1944 near St. Lo, Normandy, France. Note orange “92” on tail.
IMAGE: Aircraft fuselage on the back of a large truck in farmyard with troops.

Hertz – 9850
Bf 109 G-6/U4, WNr.441744 “Black 9” of 11./IV.JG 27. Shot down by ground fire while strafing in Normandy, France in late July, 1944. Was disassembled and moved to this location.
IMAGE: Aircraft in farmyard disassembled in pieces and components hacked off or opened.

Edwards – 9474
Bf 109 G-6/U4, WNr.441744 “Black 9” of 11./IV.JG 27. Shot down while trying to strafe an airstrip (A9) at Le Mozy, in Normandy, between 5 July and 11 August 1944. Note the “92” on the rudder.
IMAGE: Aircraft fuselage on the back of a large truck in farmyard with troops.

Boussum – 10817
109 G-6/U4, WNr.441744 “Black 9” of 11./IV.JG 27. Shot down around 31 July 1944 in Normandy, France. Note the orange “92” on the rudder.
IMAGE: Aircraft in farmyard disassembled in pieces and components prior to being opened up.

Thompson – 12888
109 G-6/U4, WNr.441744 “Black 9” of 11./IV.JG 27. Shot down while strafing in Normandy, France, on or about 31 July 1944.
IMAGE: Aircraft in farmyard disassembled in pieces and components prior to being opened up and being examined by troops.


For these data it would appear that 31 July could be the date and that Black 9 was shot down whilst strafing Allied ground assets (at A-9?). Note that airfield A-9 is in fact Le Molay not Le Mozy as quoted above, and is located near the town of Le Molay-Littry that is about 10 km north-northeast of Saint-Germain-d'Elle. So, both locations are reasonably close to each other.

The main US unit there was the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group. Perhaps this event may be mentioned in a history of one of its subordinate units. At this time US forces were just starting their break-out at St. Lo. Perhaps the pilot of Black 9 actions may have been to put pressure on Allied rear facilities in support of German ground troops desperate attempts to contain the break-out.

Best of luck,

David