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Old 6th May 2009, 23:19
rlapes rlapes is offline
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Re: Lancaster ME578 FTR 22 March 1944 - crash site confusion

Thanks folks I really appreciate your help.

ME578 was probably the first aircraft claimed by enemy action that night. Interestingly it had an 8 man crew that night 18% (6/33) of a/c lost that night had 8-man crews. Most were in the first wave, either PFF, PFF supporters or special duties e.g. reporting wind conditions. From what I've read recently NJG tactics were to disrupt the front of the bomber stream as much as possible.

Ofw Frank of 3./NJG3 claims it at 21:18 in box GR-2 and it crashes at about 21:30 at Campermoor near Vörden (Neuenkirchen - Niedersachsen). Campermoor is less than 20km from the GR-2 (about 5mins flying time). So a crash time of 21:25 is probably a good estimate.

A Lacaster from 5 grp reports "A/c shotdown by flak. 1 parachute seen." at 21:20 it's position was 5222:0804 between Engter and Rulle just 12km South of the crash site.

Would have been easy to confuse a flak and a nightfighter attack?

Does anyone have any details on what a/c Rudolf Frank was flying?

Thanks
Robert
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