Dortenmann and Downing

[keith A]

How many kills were claimed by Col Harry L Downing of 78th FG? He is reported as a victim of Dortenmann of JG54 ON 19/03/45. Was he flying a P51D? My record indicate 2 kills on this date, but nothing else. Was this wishful thinking?

[Andy Fletcher]

19Mar45 Maj Harry L. Downing 84FS/78FG 1 x Bf 109, 1 x FW 190

He was flying P-51D (44-72407; WZ-E)

Also there was a Maj Harry L. Downing Jr. who flew with the 411FS/373FG and made the following claims

18Jul44 1 x Bf 109 prob
15Aug44 2 x FW 190

Don't know if this is the same individual.

Source: Frank Olynyk's USAAF ETO claims list.

Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Boomerang]

There is an account of the combat involving the 78 FG on 19 March 1945 in Donald Caldwell's JG 26 War Diary. This states 'Hans Dortenmann claimed the 84th Squadron commander, Major Harry Downing'.

Caldwell states that, in this combat, the 78th shot down 12 BF109s from JG 27 and 3 Fw190s from JG26, while losing 5 P51s, all to JG 26.

Note that 11th Staffel of JG 54, commanded by Dortenmann, was redesignated 14th Staffel of JG 26 on 25 February 1945, so Dortenmann was a member of JG 26 on 19 March.

Cheers
Boomerang

[Frank Olynyk]

The Harry L Downing Jr of 411 Squadron has service number O437990. The Harry L Downing of 84 Squadron has service number O406113.

Frank.

[Andy Fletcher]

Thanks Frank.