361.FG loss on 24.12.44

[Heuser]

Gentlemen,
I've a question regarding the loss of William J. Sykes, 376.FS and the crash place of his P-51 (44-11203).

I know about about some Bf 109-losses of Jagdgeschwader 77 in the area of Nassau/Lahn, and I received informations about aerial combat with four confirmed victories of 376.FS in the Trier area, but still there are some question marks:

A fellow researcher told me about the result of his phone call with the widow of W.J. Sykes several ago: Sykes had to bail out of his stricken P-51 in the Nassau area, he was heavily woundet in his thights...

Because this is the third time I received informations about an involved 376.FS in this combats, my question is:

Is there anything known about the crashplace of Sykes a/c? And ist there anybody out there with a mission report of 361.FG of this day?

Every information is welcome,

Heuser

[fsbofk]

You probably have this information, but according to Steve Gotts' Little Friends - 361st Fighter Group, Sykes bailed out near Oberwies (don't know if that's near Nassau). William Adams' Fighter Losses of the Mighty Eighth also states the plane crashed near Nassau, and cites MACR 11173.

[Heuser]

Thank you very much for confirmation!
Oberwies is only a few km from Nassau away, there was found a propellor blade and a spinner 20 years ago, further an eyewitness mentioned a "Mustang"-loss with an bailed out and wounded pilot "around Christmas 1944".

Best regards,

Heuser

[fsbofk]

From the eyewitness description, it fits the circumstances described for Lt. Sykes.