November 5th, 1943

[Jochen Prien]

Gentlemen,

on November 5th, 1943, 2./JG 2 claimed a B-17 shot down at 14.25 hrs near Isigny; this claim is listed in various official reports and sources.

However, it doesn't fit at all into the overall picture of the activities of I./JG 2 on that day as the location of the claim is way off from where the Gruppe fought the B-17 that were attacking targets in Western Germany on that day. And contrary to the other claims of I./JG 2 on this day only this one appears in the daily report of the Ic officer of Luftflotte 3, indicating that it was in fact achieved over Lfl. 3 territory as opposed to the other claims, which fell in the area of Lw.-Befh. Mitte.

Could somebody enlighten me as to the whereabouts of this claim ? Was 2./JG 2 operating separately - as it was the case quite often - and if so against which B-17 incursion ( a lone straggler far away from his Group ? ), or is there another Isigny still in the area of Luftflotte 3 but close to the Belgian / Dutch border ?

Any substantiated advice will be gratefully accepted.

Regards

Jochen Prien