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Re: Graves of Zerstorer Experten
Hi Joe,
The words "Ein Deutschen Soldat" on Albrecht's grave is a simple title saying that here lies "A German Soldier". Albrecht was shot down and KIA by P-38s (not P-51s) of the 474th FG on 25 Aug 44. He went down in Bf109G-14, werknummer 460593, "Schwarze 21". Albrecht was leading 30-plus Bf109Gs of III./JG76. They took off from their base at Athis on a freijagd towards the Normandy area. They were escorted by 12 Fw190A-8s of I./JG76 led by Lt. Georg Kiefner.
III./JG76 was heading west and 23 474th FG P-38Js were on a parallel opposite course headed for targets in the Laon area. The 109s dumped their tanks, the P-38s dumped their 500lb. bombs and they met in a head-on pass at around 11,000 feet directly over Cambronne-les-Clermont. The fight was joined a few minutes later by 32 Fw190A-8s of II./JG26 led by Hptm. Emil Lang. 11 474th P-38s went down with III./JG76 losing at least 21 aircraft, 5 shot up, and 2 crashlanding back at Athis.
I am presently trying to locate Albrecht's crash site with the help of several French researchers. We believe his site is 500m west of St. Claude near the small village of Arcy.
Cheers, Gary Koch
474th FG Historian
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