Me-262 loss, 18/4/1945, Prague-Kbely?

[JerryBoucher]

Cpt Charles Weaver (362nd FS USAAF) claimed a 262 on this date and in this area. I was wondering if anyone had any data for 262 losses that possibly matched that claim?

Any help is very much appreciated!

[Brian Bines]

All I had from others research is a Me262A-1 of I/KG(J)54 was shot down on take-off by an aircraft of 357th FG on 19(?)-4-44 with pilot Uffz. Bruno Reischke killed in crash N/W of Prague-Russin,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Khorat]

April 18th 45 a Me 262 of I./JG 7 was shot down near Davle - 20 km south of Prague,
April 19th 45 10 Me 262 of JG 7 was downed in the Prague area.

Regards
khorat
Michael Balss

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Jerry,

According to Brown et al. (2010), p. 58, six US pilots filed claims for a total of 4 Me 262 shot down and another 2 damaged. Actually, only one Me 262 piloted by Lt. Ulrich Wöhnert, was shot down by Maj. Donald Bochkay, 357 FG, 363 FS. The claim filed by Capt. Charles E Weawer is not documented by any known German loss.

Brown et al. (2010): Brown, D., Janda, A., Poruba, T., and Vladar, J.: Messerschmitt Me 262s of KG & KG (J) units, Luftwaffe over Czech territory III, JaPo.

Cheers
Marc

[JerryBoucher]

Thanks everyone! So it seems that this claim is spurious? Or is it possible that JG7 lost an aircraft to Weaver, but not a KG or KG (J) unit?

[JerryBoucher]

After trying to look into this incident further, is it possible that Weaver's claim actually took place on 17/4/1945? JG 7 seem to have lost several 262s on that day.

[Brian Bines]

Regarding 17-4-45 the JG7 book says swarms of US fighters were attacking Saaz A/f (now Zatec) and four 262s of I/JG7 returning from a sortie flew into the midst of the attack and all were shot down on the landing approach. Only Oblt Hans Grunberg was able to save himself by baling out. The Me262 Combat Diary says Grunberg was leading them back to Prague and suggests that Uffz. Fick of 3/JG7 may have been one of the dead pilots.

[JerryBoucher]

Thanks Brian. I wonder whether this event is the source for Weaver's claim. It seems to match up in various details. Still tricky to tell exactly!

[Brian Bines]

Going back to the book Combat diary it says two jets were claimed on the ground at Prague/Ruzyne by pilots of the 357th on the 17th. could this be Weaver's claim ?

[JerryBoucher]

Possibly, although it's not Weaver's unit. I've not been able to establish if his claim is for an air or strafing victory.