Shooting at Baled Out Pilots - Extract from 21st Panzer Div.

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

Extract from 21 Panzer Division Intelligence Summary No.3 dated 20 June 1944:

"A German pilot, holder of the Knight's Cross who baled out from his aircraft, was shot down by our own troops as he parachuted to ground. This case points to the need to order that airman baling out, whether our own or enemy, will not be shot at. Parachute troops jump either with camouflaged parachutes or in large numbers and they will of course be engaged while in the air. In capturing enemy pilots who have baled out, the sharpest observation will be maintained, as cases have occurred where enemy pilots on reaching the ground have shot at German soldiers."

I wonder who that German pilot was?

Stephen

[Chris Goss]

Which would have been in the vicinity of Caen?

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

Could have been anywhere along the front as there is no reference to this summary, or who issued it.

[Blücher]

Hi,

The except bellow is from the Foreign Military Study A-871 “21st Panzer Division in Combat against American Troops in France and Germany” by Generalleutnant Edgar Feuchtinger [1]. He was the CO of the 21st Panzerdivision from May 8, 1944 until January 25, 1945 [2].

I think the excerpt confirms the theory that the incident involving the German pilot might have taken place in the vicinity of Caen.

Kind regards,

Michael


Sources:
[1]: http://downloads.sturmpanzer.com/FMS/NARA_FMS_A871.pdf
[2]: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/...nen/21PD-R.htm

[Chris Goss]

Assuming the incident was on or before 20 Jun 44, the only possibilities are Lt Anton-Rudolf Piffer of 1/JG 1 (killed) or Lt Ernst Wilhelm Reinert of 12/JG 27 (wounded) on 17 Jun 44?