[RodM]

Hi Michael & Theo,

Theo, I think this is a conundrum we've looked at previously, without resolution.

There are no recorded air combat claims by Mosquito crews between 25-26 April and 2-3 May 1945 (there are a few claims for aircraft parked on the ground) and the last USAAF P-61 air combat claim was on the night of 24-25 April. Could a Soviet aircraft have shot down Schoenert?

In terms of when Schoenert flew, I have no idea how he remembered this specific date. The 2. Jagddivision Nachtjagdverbände did fly sorties against the Soviets on the night of 26-27 April (as evidenced above) and possibly also 27-28 April 1945.

The Flugbuch of Werner Hoffmann (1./NJG5) records a sortie on 26-27 April - take-off (in Ju88 C9+OL) from Redlin on 26th, 23.18h, landing at Redlin on 27th, 01.26h ("Frei Nachtjagd im Raum Küstrin-Berlin-Hanover"). However, the Flugbuch of Harry Farber, who flew with Hoffmann on the same sortie, records it as 27-28 April 1945 - take-off (in Ju88 C9+PL) from Redlin on 27th, 23.18h, landing at Redlin on 28th, 01.25h. The two Flugbücher also disagree on another sortie flown on 24-25 or 25-26 April.

As previously mentioned, the OKL Ost Morgenmeldungen (BArch RL 2 II/393) would probably clarify the matter...

Cheers

Rod