Oblt. Dortenmann's 32nd victory

I joined this forum as it looked the best place to post the following.

I have come across information that points to Oblt. Dortenmann's 32nd victory not being a British Auster, but an American Piper L-4H.

My main interest lies outside the Luftwaffe and their pilots but I'm aware that the information I've come across may be of interest to the members on this site.

It may be of use for those that know who to contact to have the records corrected, if they deem the information reliable.

I own a Piper L-4H artillery spotting aircraft and hence my interest in Liaison types.And have recently supplied material for author, Ken Wakefield with his latest book, 'The Other Ninth Airforce'.

At the same time I happen to be reading 'Green Hearts Dora 9' by Axel Urbanke.
One story in this book grabbed my attention-

".......On the 31/3/45 Oblt Dortenmann was on a mission order, bombing on the Lüdinghausen bridgehead. Flying in haze beneath a solid layer of cloud at 2000m, the formation reached the American 9th Army crossing point near Lüdinghausen. At 14:45 whilst en route to the target Dortenmann, who was leading JG26 formation,attacked an Auster in grid square JQ8, in Drensteinfurt area. While taking evasive action the allied pilot crashed into a line of trees without a shot being fired. ( JG diary report )

Ken Wakefield holds the diaries and HQ NUSA Air Journals from LT Col Leich, who was in charge of the 125th liaison squadron and the 50th MR&R, both attached to the 9th Army. From these papers which make up the basis of his new book-

".....2nd Armd Div Arty Air Officer, Lt Kistler, reported that Lt Emerick, pilot, and Capt Mahon, observer, were forced down on the afternoon of March 31 when six FW190s jumped them. The enemy aircraft came out of cloud and split up into three elements of two and attacked in three directions. Lt Kistler went down to ground level in an attempt to evade the enemy aircraft, but hooked his wing on a hedgerow and wrecked his L-4 49*W (44-80116). Personnel uninjured except for being a bit stiff...... The aircraft subsequently rebuilt and returned to service.

Since Dortenmann used the generic term 'Auster' for all artillery spotting aircraft, this is how it was historically recorded. In fact it is more likely to have been this Piper L-4.

I suppose it's like recording a Spitfire instead of a Mustang

Anyhow, I hope this may be of use to someone.

Cheers,
Richard

[Stig Jarlevik]

Quite interesting Richard

Two points
a) You say initially that Lt Emerick and Capt Mahon were flying the L-4, but in the next sentence we have Lt Kistler going down to ground level to avoid the Fw 190's. I presume that you mix Lt Kistler (who made the report?) with the two individuals who actually flew the aircraft?

b) I already have a book by Wakefield, the Fighting Grasshoppers. Is his latest book still worth getting in spite of this?

Cheers
Stig

Sorry Stig, that must be my typing, it should be Lt.Emerick/Capt Mahon involved in the crash.

As for Kens book, the Piper L-4's were treated like jeeps, and hence once delivered to Army Ground Forces no records were kept. The current day owners of some of these aircraft can usually only guess the unit their aircraft served in.

These diaries recount the day to day operation of the Liaison aircraft. More importantly it lists the tail numbers of a couple of hundred liaison aircraft and what units they served in.
The book takes the form of a monthly summery of the 9th army activity, followed by the extracts from the daily journal compiled by Lt. Col. Leich, the Artillery Air Officer of Army HQ.

Cheers.
R

[Nick Hector]

G'day. Just a quick reply. This is from the Joe Baugher US serial numbers website:
http://joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_5.html

44-80045/80844 Piper L-4J Grasshopper
80116 (c/n 12412) to Polish civil registry as SP-AHP

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks both

Hmm, looks like I have to buy Wakefield's book after all....

Cheers
Stig