2x victory P-51 30-03-1944

[Snautzer]

"On 30 May 1944 while leading a four ship flight on bomber escort, I saw contrails high and to the right of the bombers. We started up to get between them and the bomber. At 26,000 feet (4) four 190's came down on us, not the bombers, while about (15) fifteen more stayed up as top cover. We went into a tight lufberry with the four that jumped us. The leader opened fire at approximately 1000 yards and Lt. Thistlethwaite who was no. 4 burst into flames. I saw the canopy come off but did not see any parachute come out. Just after this I got on the tail of their No. 4 man but he headed for the deck, leading us across flak and his home field. My ship, due to high speed was almost out of control and I pulled up telling the flight to follow me. After this time I did not see Lt. Meyer again. Lt. Meyer was flying #3 position and Lt. Thistlethwaite flying #4 position Bill C. Routt ,Captain, Air Corps,Flight Leader.


Paul M Meyer 370927 Pilot KIA P-51 42-106601 MACR 5400, KUJ-1276
Edward A Thistlethwaite 688874 POW P-51 42-106908 MACR 5401


Is it known which unit it was/could be or even a claimer?

[Chris Goss]

Any idea of where or unit for that matter? You say 30 March and 30 May 44? There are no claims I can see on 30 March but 10 for P-51s on 30 May and one stands out as a classic bounce-Oblt Walter Krupinski of Stab II./JG 11 for two P-51s at 1110hrs?

[Snautzer]

Thanks Chris. Board is a tad funky lately in being up.


339th Fighter Group 504th Fighter Squadron and i made mistake with date in the headliner. It is 30 May 1944.
Meyer crashed at Eggersdorf near Schoenebeck Germany (German report in MACR dog tag), that is close or almost perfect for PQ 15 Ost S/JC, southwest of Magdeburg. So Lt. Thistlethwaite must have been victory 185 and Lt. Meyer 186 for Krupinski.


Meyer was buried 02-06 1944 in Eggersdorf at 15:00hrs

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

I hope that everyone’s doing fine. Hauptmann Walter Krupinski (197 victories, RK-EL), Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 11, was engaged with the 357th FG, USAAF on the date in question according to this research … I have no idea which version is correct but I remembered this webpage when I saw this thread and am posting this in case it may be useful and interesting.

Horrido!

Leo