John, thank you for your reply.
Warka is north of Cracow, closer to Warsaw. There was a bridgehead at Vistula river where was heavy combat at this time.
It's only a suggestion that the plane could be from JG52. In fact, it could be from any unit from Eastern Front...
I forgot to write that some people suggested that the plane and pilot were "Hungarian", but lookong at the photos it's clear the pilot wears German uniform and ranks. Probably he said he's Hungarian because of he was afaid about being killed by the partisans.
At Aug. 6 there was some aerial combat in East Prussia area (ca. 500 kms north of Cracow) because of "Frantic V" shuttle mission. Mustangs from 357th FG took part in it, escorting B-17s.
It's interesting, but the next day (Aug. 7) these planes made an air raid to Trzebinia oil refinery, very close to Cracow, and during the return to Soviet bases they were almost exactly over the place, where Bf109 crashed.
I thought there was any mistake, but the author clearly describes Bf109 crash (dated Aug. 6) and a flight of B-17s and P-51s (Aug. 7). Her diary was written day-by-day.
I know there were two or three German planes shot down by "Frantic V" escort in Cracow area:
- Bf109 G-6 W/Nr 165031 "Yellow 8" III/JG52, crashed near Kalwaria (30 kms SW of Cracow), pilot Oblt Fritz Eberhard (probably accidentaly KIA or WIA by German LAA).
- Bf109 G-6 W/Nr 166065 "Yellow 4" III/JG52, crashed in Myslowice (50 kms W of Cracow), pilot was an ace Lt. Herbert Bachnick (KIA forced to landing and hit in rail embankment).
- a third plane mentioned to be shot down near Zator, 30 kms west of Cracow (Bf109 or FW190).
It corresponds well with American claims (357th FG) in this area at Aug. 7:
- Capt. John F. Pugh - 1 FW190 W of Cracow
- 1Lt. Hollis R. Nowlin - 1,5 plane (one of them was German ace Schack
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=1560)
- Mjr. John A. Storch - 0,5 Bf109 over Oswiecim (Auschwitz), very close (15 kms) to Zator.
(the list may be not complete)
It's not certain Bachnick was hit in dogfight by 357th FG, whether 15th AF plane. I cannot find a confirmation of shooting down this Mustang, regarded as his 80th victory.
I'll be very grateful for any information about pilots and planes mentioned above (especially for plane shot down at Zator and confirming Lt. Eberhard's fate).
But the focus of the topic is unknown Bf109 crashed probably the day before, August 6.
Best regards,
Piotr