Looking for info on FW190 Nov 3 1943

[Bobo1121]

My dad Stanley S Bolesta 's B26 was shot down on Nov 3 1943 by FW190s after bombing St Andre De L Eure. Info gathered from others in the flight was that they were attacked by FW190s. The Fw190s had yellow nose, yellow tail, black numbers (maybe number 57). I believe that 2/JG2 Richthofen might have been in that area . The plane went down near Evreux France. All men bailed out safely. Dad ended up in Stalag Luft 1.


Does anyone have any information about the FW190 that may have taken part of that encounter.

I fly model RC airplanes- I built this B26 in his honor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9LOk-Iv4js

Ron

[Nick Beale]

Have you looked at the online Luftwaffe claims lists? You'll find them at: http://lesliesawyer.com/claims/tonywood.htm

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Ron

I searched through various claims lists but found nothing concerning any claim for a B-26 by Luftwaffe fighters over France on that date. However, I did come across the evasion report by F/O Ernest Grubb, who was the co-pilot of your father's B-26 (41-34763) "PN-J" of the 449 BS, 322 BG, USAAF and he states that the bomber was brought down by Flak. If this is true that would explain why there are no fighter claims for this particular loss.

http://media.nara.gov/nw/305270/EE-447.pdf

I hope this helps.

Horrido!

Leo

[Bobo1121]

Leo

Thanks

I did see that report-- the official document references loss to FW190

But when I interviewed 92 yr old pilot a couple of years ago- he said they were hit by flak--over target- lost# 2 engine.. They continued on but #1 engine was overheating and he called for them to bail out. During that time they were being attacked by FW190s. There was some communication reported for the FW190s to go after the plane with one engine.

I'm just trying to identify what group of FW190s might have been involved on that day and might be some record of that day. Maybe it was 2 JG 2

[Chris Goss]

I am afraid that as there were no fighter claims that day, records will be hard to come by. However, I do have Luftflotte 3 reports for 3 Nov 43 which might make a mention of what happened-please PM me if you think I can help. By the way, are you talking about 2/JG 2 (i.e 2 Staffel of I Gruppe/JG 2) or II Gruppe/JG 2?

[Chris Goss]

Don't bother with the PM. The only mentions are general and the only specific Flak kills are a P47 at 1230 hrs 12 km SW of Den Helder; another P47 at 1331 hrs north of Bergen aan Zee and a Spitfire off Calais at 1330 hrs. 3/JG 2 lost a FW 190 off Yvetot in combats with B-26s and B-17s and a Bf 109 G-6 from 8/JG 2 near Dreux in the same combat, both pilots killed. No claims though

[Bobo1121]

Chris
Thank you for reply--I found an article that mentioned 2/JG 2 was based at Evreux, west of Paris. The Fw190s that attacked the B26 flight had yellow nose, yellow tail, black numbers . One of the crew said he thought the number was 57. Since the plane went down over Evreux I was just looking to see if there might be records that this group 2/JG 2 might be them. I wasn't sure if the Luftwaffe kept crew lists like the Americans did which might identify who was flying 57.

[Chris Goss]

It appears that II/JG 2 were flying Bf 109s & FW 190s and I/JG 2 FW 190s. No mention of any claims or losses apart from what I have said already. It would be unusual that a combat aircraft had a number 57-this tends to be linked with training units.. If it is I/JG 2 of which 2/JG 2 was a part, the attached might be of interest:

http://www.ww2.dk/air/jagd/jg2.htm

[zorglub]

Hello Ron ,

I've sent you a PM , regarding your father and Cunningham .

Regards ,

Zorglub

[Bobo1121]

found this interesting- it's from the 386th bomb group that flew the same mission

386th historian mentions approximately 100 enemy fighter planes from Lille- Vitry, Beauvais, and Beaumont areas reacted to the sweeps into France that day by the 386th,323rd,322nd,and 387th groups and 2 RAF fighter

says 15 fighters attacked the 322 bombers. 2 of the FW190's singled out my dad's ship and attacked simultaneously from the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock above.

I'm thinking JG2 had F190's in Beaumont at the time- not sure about Lille- Vitry or Beauvais..

Any ideas?