Maj Franz Beyer opponents on 11 February 1944

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

According to several sources, Maj Franz Beyer, the Gruppenkommandeur of IV./JG 3, was killed on 11 February 1944 in an air battle against Spitfires. His Bf 109 G-6 WNr 411036 crashed near Helden, Netherlands.

Problem is that the only claim made by Spitfires that I found for this day was by 331 Sqn for a Fw 190 shot down (and another damaged) SW of Lille, France, so far away from this place.

The Osprey book about the aces of JG 3 provided maybe an explanation: it says that Beyer's "machine clipped a tree during a low-altitude dogfight with Spitfires to the south of Liége, Belgium".

The location is very probably wrong, as Beyer is buried in Netherlands, not in Belgium, but the fact that it crashed after hitting a tree can explain why no claim was made by a Spitfire pilot, who probably did not see the crash and just noticed that his pursuer had let him escape for one reason or the other.

So my question is: does anybody know if a Spitfire squadron reported an engagement with German fighters over Netherlands on 11 February 1944 ?

Another possibility would be that the "Spitfires" were actually American P-51s escorting B-17s to Frankfurt.

Thanks in advance

[ClinA-78]

Hello Laurent,

In fact, Beyer crashed well in Belgium, in a wood located between Wéris and Erezée (South of Liège). His Bf 109 struck trees and was pulverized as his body. His gold cross (need to check the OFK report, not at hand) was found among the debris, enabling the identification.

In that area, a FW 190 was also lost that day (material loss).

Less than 2 km away, a P-47 crashed also that very day too (pilot : DUFRENE, EVD, sorry by mind, but name truly sounding French origin), perhaps involved in the combats if I remember ?

Quite often, P-47 wings were mistaken for Spitfire wings, nevertheless there is a big difference in shape, isn't it? The fever of combat may explain that? However Spitfire don't have the range to go far to Liège area (at least, at this time).

I have walked through this wood for years long time ago, with witnesses, in vain...

Best regards

ClinA-78

[ClinA-78]

Lt. Roland J. DUFRESNE on P-47 42-8550 OS-S 355th FG/357th FS EVD

[ClinA-78]

just 72 years ago...

[Kutscha]

Originally Posted by ClinA-78

Lt. Roland J. DUFRESNE on P-47 42-8550 OS-S 355th FG/357th FS EVD

Why did he crash?

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Kutscha, the MACR says that circumstances of the loss ar unknown.

A testimony by 1st Lt Chester J Butcher, the wingman of Dufrene during this mission, is included. He saw a Bf 109 made a pass out of the sun towards Dufrene but did not see him firing. He then chased the Bf 109 with the flight leader but then noticed that Dufrene was no more with them, but 8 000 feet higher. Dufrene called and said he was bailing out but gave no reason. He appeared to be in no trouble, his plane flying smootly, his manner calm. Butcher then followed the flight leader into clouds and did not saw again Dufrene or his aircraft.

According to the MACR Dufrene was last sighted at 1130 hrs in Elsaffthal area, Germany. This area and Helden in Netherlands are both 150 km away from Erezée !

The evasion report of Lt Dufrene would be a very interesting reading.

If someone can remind me the time difference between US and German hours in February 1944, I will be very interested.

According to the Tony Wood file, IV./JG 3 made two claims for B-26s on 11 February 1944 at 1115 and 1120 hrs, one being in Valenciennes area. Claims against the 8th AIr Force started after midday.

The crash location in Erezée of Beyer could well have occured in an air battle starting in Valenciennes area. And B-26 formations were often escorted by RAF Spitfires, so it is still possible that Spitfires were involved, and that Dufrene aircraft crashed there some time later during the day.

Clin, did you have crash times for Beyer and/or Dufrene ?

[ClinA-78]

I have read his escape & evasion report some time ago but I cannot remember the details.
A Spitfire's claim as far is really dubious. The 56th FG is most probably his claimer.

The Abendmeldung states 11h20 for Beyer.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks again Clin, this time is the same as the two claims made against B-26s, so Beyer was probably not lost in an air battle against 8th Air Force. I will try to find more about these B-26 operations.

[Jaap Woortman]

According to the files of the Dutch Red Cross at The Hague, analyzed by the late Jan Hey, Major Frans Beyer was killed
in a crash near Helden-Panningen in the Netherlands at February 11th, 1944.
He has been buried at the German Ehrenfriedhof at the Dr. Blumenkamplaan in Venlo, Netherlands, and after the war at
the German Militairy Cemetery at Ysselsteyn, Netherlands.

By the way, at Febr. 11th, 1944 German time = British time.

Jaap Woortman

[John Manrho]

Jaap,

I am not sure how J.Hey deducted that from the NL-RK files but I believe he made a mistake. Maj. Beyer crashed imho near Erezee as the VLM describes. He was buried at Venlo because the IV./JG 3 was stationed there. Just like many other IV./JG 3 pilots who were killed on the 10th Feb 1944 near my hometown, also a considerable distance from Venlo.

Regards,

John