Mustangs of 359th FG vs. He 219?
I came across this interesting story, and I thought someone might know more about it:
On August 4th 1944 the 8th AF went after targets in Hamburg and Bremen areas. The escorting fighters - 353rd, 356th and 339th FGs - all scored heavily, but against Bf 109s.
One victory credit was different and it caught my attention. One Mustang of 359th FG with engine malfunction turned for Sweden. It was escorted by two more of the same unit. On their way the three P-51s were engaged by a "Me 110", and Lt. Wilson Baker shot it down. The Mustangs were desperately short of fuel by then and all three landed in Sweden.
Now, for the other side (?) of the story:
On that day three He 219s of Stab NJG 1 were scrambled from Aalborg-West on a daylight mission against the USAAF raid. One aborted shortly after takeoff. The other two apparently ran into U.S. fighters and were lost. All four German airmen, Maj. Fritz von Buchholz, Hptm. Walter Prues and their radio operators, were killed.
I have a feeling that these two stories are somehow intertwined. If you look at the map, the three Mustangs going to Sweden must have flown in the vicinity of Aalborg. Could anyone contribute any more info?
Tom
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