Maj Anton Hackl-WIA April 15,1944

[kaki3152]

Om April 15,1944, Major Anton Hackl and III/JG-11 had a bruising fight with the 56th FG and Maj. Hackl was wounded in action.

Does anyone have more details on thie encounter?

Thanks,

Carlos

[NickM]

Minimal reply working from memory;Years ago some kind person from this board kindly send me a photocopied excerpt from Prien's book on JG11's actions for the day (written in German, but oh well...) and an article written about the US fighter group that took part in the action : Hackl & III/JG11 had completed a successful mission against a P38 equipped fighter group (sorry can't remember which one) but it was very one sided; I think something like 7 or 8 P38s were claimed, including one by Hackl; Later, III/JG11 was caught in it's landing pattern & mauled; however, I can't remember the fighter unit involved: Kacha's LW fighter pilot page says it was P47s but the article that was sent to me said the unit was equipped with P51s; It ain't much but it's as much as I can say; I don't think that 56th FG was involved in this mission, but then again I don't have all that facts either;

Sorry that I'm muddying the waters!

NM

[kb]

April 15 was a "Jackpot" by 8AAF Fighter Command. 352FG and 56FG were assigned to go after LW airfields in northern Germany and appear to be most likely victors.

56FG

"A" group was led by Col. Zemke and strafed airdromes, losing two a/c. One FW190 was claimed by members of 61FS near Flensburg.

"B" group was lead by LtCol. Gabreski. Around 1425 they were descending to strafe Altona when "ten to twelve" LW fighters were sighted in the area. 62FS attacked the LW formation, which was flying at approximately 1500m.

62FS members filed additional claims:

1 FW190 credited to Capt. Paul Conger "Elmshorn area".
1 FW190 credited to Lt. William P. Chattaway "vicinity of Altona"
1 FW190 credited to Capt. Fred Christensen "vicinity of Altona"

62FS lost one Thunderbolt with pilot to the FW190s.

352FG

Each squadron headed to LW airfields for strafing attacks, but only 486FS encountered aerial opposition.

486 FS headed to Vechta, where it dove from 7000+m to strafe the airfield. As they approached they observed a flight of FW190s taking off in front of them. Victories were claimed by the following pilots:

1 FW190 LtCol. Luther Richmond (shot down by flak and captured)
1 FW190 Lt Henry Miklajcyk "se of Vechta"
2 FW190 Lt Martin Corcoran
2 FW190 Lt Al Wallace
1 FW190 Lt Murdock Cunningham

Approximate time of this action was 1400. At this time 486FS was equipped with P51s.