B-17 Forever Amber, downed on April 10 1945

[David Burgess]

I was lucky to meet one of the crew, the ball turret gunner. Could someone direct me as to where I might find any information on the unit of the Me-262, or pilot. I did a google search and found some general information. Any help would be greatly appreciated. David

[Reiner]

Hi ,

Me262 on 10.4.1945 came from JG 7 and KG(J) 54.

Rene

[Lee487th]

Hello David,

This subject is one, near and dear to my heart! My father was the pilot of that plane. I also have met Doug (the ball turret gunner) who has an interesting story of that day!

I think the pilot who shot the plane down may be difficult to id with certainty. There is a book, "The Messerschmitt Combat Diary Me.262" which discusses briefly the planes of Hauenstein, McGinness and Sell (all from the 487th Bomb Group) going down that day from Me.262 fire. The book also lists Luftwaffe pilots of Me.262's claiming kills that day. Those claiming "Fortress" kills are Oblt Schuck, Grunberg, Stehle, Bohatsch, Ofhr Neuhaus, Flg Reiher of I/JG 7, then Fhr Pfeiffer of III/JG 7, then Lt Pelenda, Lt Rossow, Lt Becker of I/KG(J)54, and also "unknown pilot" from that last group. The total claims are 20 Fortress, including 1 Fortress HSS and 3 probable Fortresses.

A few years ago, I came across contact information for Oblt Schuck, wrote a letter and had a friend of mine translate it into German. I sent it, then heard from a friend of Schuck's who flew with him in Finland. He had no information on 10-Apr-45, and said that Schuck did not respond to letters. I unfortunately did not proceed beyond that. I really was not sure where I might go for further information.

If you are able to develop additional information I would be delighted to hear it.

Also, if you want to contact me, check the 487th web site. I am the webmaster on the site and my email is listed there. The web site is: http://www.487thbg.org/

Best regards and thanks for posting your note!

Lee Hauenstein

[Lee487th]

Oh, I should have mentioned that on the web site are photos of interest.

The plane, in it's crippled state, the number 3 engine on fire can be seen at:
http://www.487thbg.org/Photos/ForeverAmber.shtml

Also a photo of many on the crew that day is at: http://www.487thbg.org/Photos/HauensteinCrew1.shtml

And finally the list of my Dad's missions is at: http://www.487thbg.org/Stories/MCHNotes.shtml

Best regards,

Lee Hauenstein

[mw109G6]

David,

The book "JG7 The World's First Jet Fighter Unit 1944/1945" describes Oblt. Schuck's attacks. "Schuck's first burst of fire tore the wing off a B-17....The next burst shattered the elevator assembly of one of the bombers, whose crew immediately bailed out." His next two success that day are described as the aircraft disintegrating and the last breaking apart.

Hope that helps a bit.

Mike

[obdl3945]

David, Lee...

Hi, I'm about to post a PM to both of you. Perhaps it may be useful to you.

Kindest regard...

Paul

[Joe Potter]

In his book "Luftwaffe Eagle" Schuck claimed four B-17 G's on that date, 14.30, 14.33, 14.35 and 14.38hrs, all in the Oranienburg region, see page 231.
Hope this may help.
Joe

[David Burgess]

Thanks Rene, Lee, Mike, Paul, and Joe for the replies. Lee your father and Doug, and all who flew were exceptional men. We are losing our WWll Vets way to quickly.
David

[Lee487th]

Joe's reply provided useful information, and I believe I had known this about Oranienburg and Herr Schuck (I will check my references). The target of the 487th that day was the Briest Airfield. Other groups targeted Oranienberg Airfield and other targets.

So, if Herr Schuck's kills were in the Oranienberg area, then it is perhaps likely these were not from the 487th.

I am looking forward to getting a copy of Herr Schuck's book when it becomes available in the US. I am certain it will be very enlightening.

Lee