Fighter collision with B17 14 Jul 43

[Chris Goss]

I have 2 photos which show a crash-landed B17 42-3211 named 'TS' of 535 BS/381 BG (2/Lt Edwin Manchester) at Manston which had collided with a FW 190 over France during an attack on Villacoublay. Any ideas as to who the B17 collided with-it had hit starboard inner engine, ripping out much of the engine, before hitting the tail?

[Jochen Prien]

Dear Chris,

from what I have at hand here it looks as if the Focke-Wulfs in question belonged to I./JG 2 which was engaged against the B-17 formation attacking Villacoublay and reported the loss of two Fw 190 with one pilot injured, although there is no mention of a mid-air-collision. Please contact me off-board.

Cheers

Jochen

[Chris Goss]

Will do and thanks

[Brian Bines]

I had Uffz. Gerhard Nuss in Fw 190A4 2457 of 2/JG2 who baled out wounded as a possibility, the other pilot in 7195 I believe made an emergency landing following enemy fire.
Account of collision on 14-7 by CoPilot Lt. Weniger in the book ''The Mighty Men of the 381st''. This gives the impression that the Fw 190 pilot would not have been likely to survive the collision, unless he jumped before.
Capt. Edwin Manchester later KIA on raid to Bremen on 8-10-1943

[Michael Land]

In the book "Ridgewell's Flying Fortresses" there is a complete desciption of this mid-air collision - what an amazing story! It's too much to write here but if you want more details and photos - give me an email.

BTW "TS" stood for Tough Sh...!! No wonder they just abbreviated it! The crew then went on to fly a replacement "TS Too"

[RT]

Contender could be also the 5.JG26, Uffz Kubon , give a try to his chute, after combatting B17, to add that raid has been very succesful

Remi