Quote:
Originally Posted by kb
Re 29 April the 355th filed one claim on this date, by ace Henry Brown over a 109 near Brunswick at 1145; Steinke went down roughly two hours later.
Other P51 groups:
4th FG filed no aerial claims (over fighters).
352nd filed two, 1-109 and 1-190; I don't have location data.
355th per above
363rd (9th AF P51 squadron) filed no claims
357th filed no claims
The only other P51 equipped group in the ETO at this time was 354th FG, but unfortunately I have no info on their activities this day. I'd lay odds that the 354th is the outfit that shot down Steinke.
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by drgondog
Richard - I did not see this until today.
No, not likely a 355th pilot - more likely a 352nd FG score in the s. Haldensleben area (Me 109) by Cpt E.L. Abbot. The 354th FG got their scores in the Gardelegen to Brandenburg axis so they were further north and escorting the 2nd BD B-24s.
Equally probable - downed by B-17 in Magdeburg area.
|
Gents
I really appreciate your input into answering my question concerning the downing of Rolf Steinke on 29-Apr-44. As a result, I have a couple more questions on the subject:
Is it known whether the claim by Cpt. E.L. Abbot can lead to a positive ID as the pilot who downed Steinke? Has this claim been attributed to another Jagdfleiger other than Steinke?
Also as indicated, he may also of been shot down by defensive fire from one or more B-17 aircraft. Are there any records which can be explored detailing the claims of B-17 crews? I do appreciate that this may be an impossible ask however, from where I am sitting it is worth asking the question.
Thank you in anticipation.
Regards Richard.