All,
thanks a lot for your answers.
@Theo: There are two independent sources:
First: Serveral eye withness reports that confirm 11.11.1944, published in Konrad Rudolphs book.
Second: my hand written notes from 25years ago form the Bundes-militärachiv Freiburg. Unfortnunately without the Archiv signature
RL?2031N?)
"11.11.1944, 19:55, 2,5km SW Obergrenzebach, vermutlich Lancaster, 99% Aufschlagbrand, Ursache unbekannt"
@Martin:Nieder Ochtenhausen is Lancaster 643, confirmed by Dietrich Alsdorf, Stade
I wounder if a burning aircraft can still fly about 300km without a pilot???
@RSwank: That was my first thought too. Lancaster PB188. It fits perfectly. But one of the crew members come down per parachute near Stade. I made a contact with a historian in Stade and he confirm this. But there is no specific indication of where the aircraft crashed. There are suspicions that the plane crashed over Harburg. But no evidence!!
It is possible the Lancaster PB188 could fly so far (ca 300km) without a pilot an burning. In Theos book the attack of the nightfighter is confirm at 19:00 Uhr. So the plane could have flown for another 55 min. When the pilot left the plane it was 20.000 feet high but burning.
There are other units that were on missions this night. Spezial Opps? French/Poland units other? KG 200?
It´s difficult.. I know.
Best
Mirko