13 April 1944 - B-17 east of Frankfurt am Main

[rob van den nieuwendijk]

Hello all,

Who has info on a B-17 which crashed east of Frankfurt am Main on 13 April 1944 at 14.03 hours. Of the crew five or six baled out after their bomber was shot down by German fighters. Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Rob

[Flupke]

Hello Rob

There are several B-17 crashed in this area at nearly the same time, do you have a more precise place than E of Frankfurt?

Regards
Phil

[rob van den nieuwendijk]

Hello Phil,

Thanks for your reply - the only data I have is that the B-17 crashed in Planquadrat QT 3 05 Ost S. At about 5.000 metres the Boeing exploded, after five or six crewmembers had baled out. Hope you can idenitfy this bomber.

Regards,
Rob

[Leendert]

Rob,

The "14.03 hrs" claim may point to the one made by Hptm. Heinrich Sannemann of 6./JG3 at that time.
Location of claim is given as Gelnhausen, some 25-30 km east of Frankfurt/Main.
However, actual crash site of B-17 may have been elsewhere

As Phil has written, several B-17s were shot down east of Frankfurt, including near Aschaffenburg.

Groet,

Leendert

[Flupke]

You are probably trying to identify the B-17 shot down by the Hptm Sannemann Heinrich 6./JG 3

Quite difficult to be sure but it should be one of the following

Elmhausen (Grossgumpen??) D-64686 B-17G-20-BO 14:00 KU-1528---Fighters #42-31433 384BG 547BS SO-V "Rum Pot"

Elmhausen ?? D-64686 B-17G-30-DL Fighters #42-38112 384BG 545BS JD-J

Fischbachtal "Messbach" D-64405 B-17G-45-BO 13:45 KU-1540---Fighters #42-97228 384BG 545BS JD-G "G.I. Jive"

Keilberg ,E of Aschaffenburg D-63856 B-17 12:30 KU-1537---Fighters #42-31508 401BG 613BS IN-Q "Command Performance"

Oberelsbach D-97656 B-17 14:00 KU-1524---Fighters #42-37827 351BG 508BS J

Rohrbrunn / Weibersbrunn D-63879 B-17 14:00 KU-1536---Fighters #42-97464 401BG 614BS IW-D

Vielbrunn D-64720 B-17G-45-BO 14:20 KU-1534---Fighters #42-97233 384BG 545BS JD-K

Regards
Phil

[rob van den nieuwendijk]

Hello Phil and Leendert,

Yes, I am trying to identify the claim of Hptm Heinrich Sannemann of 6./JG 3. Thought it would be difficult to identify this one. The only sure fact is that five or six crew members baled out. Hope any of you can tell me which B 17 this might have been. Thanks for your help.

Regards,
Rob

[Leendert]

Rob,

It so happens that majority of crews of the B-17s Phil has mentioned became POW, with max 1 or 2 KIA in each plane.
One exception is 42-38112 with 4 KIA and 6 POW.

This a/c came down near "Elmahausen" according http://384thbombgroup.com/php/One384...ftKey=42-38112

Elmahausen seems not to exist, and nearest come two towns called Elmshausen, but one is north and the other one due south of Frankfurt/Main...

Perhaps a board reader from Germany can bring some light in this matter?

Groet,

Leendert