Shot down of 2 Black Widows by freindly Fire

[Rolfeb]

Received a MACR by Footnote. Based on that the P-61 was shot down by friendly fire at April 26th 45 in south of Germany. The Serial # is: 42-39559. So far everything is clear.
But on page 4 there is written the following:
Two American Night Fighters shot down by friendly flak over Dillingen Bridghead last night.
Does anybody know details about the second one mentioned on page 4?? Based on this statement there must be a second one, right?

Thanks in advance
Rolf

[Brian]

Hi Rolf

I can't answer your question (at the moment) but do you have the names and fates of the crew of '559? And the unit?

Cheers
Brian

[Rolfeb]

Hi Brian,

as requested here the info:
Pilot: 2nd Lt Thomas Erasius Cartmel O-774016 KIA
Radar Observer: 2nd Lt Harold Anton Anderson O-872250 KIA

Rolf

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Rolf and Brian,

There is a very brief reference to this loss (one only) in QUEEN OF THE MIDNIGHT SKIES by Garry R.Pape and Ronald C. Harrison, subtitled 'The Story of America's Air Force Night Fighters'. It notes the 417th NFS lost one P-61 to 'friendly' anti-aircraft fire while protecting the bridgeheads at Ulm, Dillingen and Donauworth in late April 1945. No crew names, aircraft serial or even exact date.

Hope this helps,

Martin Gleeson.

[Bruce Dennis]

Originally Posted by Rolfeb

...on page 4 there is written the following:
Two American Night Fighters shot down by friendly flak over Dillingen Bridghead last night.
Does anybody know details about the second one mentioned on page 4?? Based on this statement there must be a second one, right?
... Rolf

Just a possibility: Rolf has identified two aircrew. Is there any chance the MACR comment referes to the two FLIERS shot down on that date, rather than two AIRCRAFT?

Bruce

[Brian]

Hi Rolf

I couldn't find a second loss for this date in the USAAF serial numbers list, in which '559 is shown as lost over the Mediterranean on this date!!

Perhaps the 'second' loss referred to another type, not a P-61? Were any US units flying Mosquito NFs?

Cheers
Brian

[Stein Meum]

The book "Northrop's Night Hunter- P-61 Black Widow" by Jeff Kolln lists the fate of every P-61 built, and according to this list only '559 was lost on this date as shot down by friendly fire. Cartmell and Anderson both mentioned as KIA.
If there was a second U.S. night fighter shot down on this date, it will have to be another type.

Stein

[Horst Weber]

Good evening Stein !

Is this P-61 book still avaiable ?. If so, please give me a note, how to gain it. There was a similar event in end of December 1944 in Luxembourg.

Thank you !

Horst Weber

[Rolfeb]

Hei Stein,
thanks for the info. Could you please do me a favour and have a short look regarding P-61 Serial # 42-39670.
There is nothing written in the MACR I mentioned but it would be very interesting for me whether the serial # really fitting to a P-61 and the fate accordingly. Thanks in advance
Rolf

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Brian,

I believe the Mediterranean angle may have come about from the 417th NFS being part of the 1st Tactical Air Force which was supporting the Allied advance from the south of France towards the south of Germany.
The 417th NFS had moved to Giebelstadt in Germany only on 24 April 1945 from St. Dizier in France, a few days before the loss of the P-61 in question.

Hope this helps,

Martin.