Egon Mayer

[Tony Kambic]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but here goes. Any idea what US FG, plane, pilot is credited with downing Egon Mayer on March 2 1944? Circumstances if any.

Thanks

[kb]

According to Don Caldwell's books on JG26, Egon Mayer was downed in combat with P47s of 365FG, part of the 9th US Air Force.

[kb]

Maj Coffey claimed 1 FW190 "west of Luxembourg" at 1145. Maj Rockford Gray claimed 2 FW190s destroyed and one damaged near Bastogne around 1240. There may be other claims.

[NickM]

I just went back to my copy of former 354th FG Ace Norman Fortier's book, "An Ace of the Eighth" & in it he reported that on March 2nd, the 354th's 358th Squadron engaged 2 FW 190s & Me 109s near Charleroi, downing all 5; one of their pilots, Lt Walt Gresham hit one of the FWs with a long range deflection burst that exploded the FW; it was determined(via gun camera footage & the recollections of the other FW who was shot down but survived) that Mayer was the pilot of that particular FW;

So...I hope that helps;

NickM

[drgondog]

here is Gresham's encounter report. The chase extended to the Fumay area.