[RodM]

Hi Chris,

thanks for the details.

I cannot say if the Marienfeld loss would relate to the specific incident. The 'Ju88' attacked a RAF Lancaster illuminated by a fighter flare in the region NW to W of Wesel just after 2005 hrs, as the Lancaster was homeward ater attacking Bottrop. The Ju88 opened fire from behind at a range of 150 yrds and the rear funner of the Lanc returned fire with a 5 second burst that lasted until the Ju88 passed under the Lancaster at a range of 25 yrds. The pilot saw the night fighter enveloped in flames (it was he who 'positively identified' it as a 'Ju188') at very close distance just under the Lanc's starboard wing before it dived down out of sight.

The Lancaster, itself on fire, struggled on a further 40-50 miles before it was abandoned over Allied lines. According to a report, the HQ of 83 Group 2 TAF confirmed that witnesses on the ground saw the combat and also saw the Ju88 crash, which was also confirmed. In view of the witnesses, I doubt that the 2TAF info would be derived from 'Y' Traffic, which could've been the case for the Ju88 that crashed at Marienfeld...

The He219 was that of Hptm. Graf Rességuier and was also shot down by a bomber (one of those that attacked Dortmund) that crashed soon after.

Cheers

Rod