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Re: Ju 52 loss on 16-17 April 1944
Hello all,
the 1st FG claimed only one Ju.52 on 16.04.1944.
According to Olynyk it was claimed by ?/Lt Robert K Hoffman (71st FS).
However, the 71st FS' War Diary reports, on this date, that "No enemy aircraft were seen on today's mission".
The Ju.52, apparently, was claimed by 2/Lt Charles Landis Hoffman (94th FS) during his 43rd mission.
He reported: "We had a 4-flight squadron (16 planes) escort B-17s of the 5th Bomb Wing to the marshalling yards at Brazov, Romania. En route to the target, we observed a Ju-52 “Iron Annie” below our formation. Lt Thiessen was leading the squadron and he sent my flight down and I attacked the transport. The Ju-52 was burning fiercely when it disappeared into the clouds below".
Despite the claim, Hoffman reported that "the Army Air Force did never officially credited it to me".
Hope this helps.
Marco
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