He 162: Two P-47 Air Victories??

[Peter D Evans]

Hi Roger...

Sorry to sound like such a cynic To muddy the waters a touch more, there are also other He162 pilot "claims" in "World War Two Fighting Jets" by Ethell & Price (Airlife 1994). They mention the following:

"19th April 1945 - unknown He162 pilot credited with the types first aerial victory. The 2nd Tactical Air Force lost a number of aircraft over enemy territory on that day and from British records it is not possible to confirm or refute the claim that one of them was shot down by a He162."

"April 26th 1945 - Unteroffizier Rechenbach was credited with the destruction of an unspecified enemy aircraft and his victory was confirmed by at least two independent witnesses. Again, this was a day when the 2nd Tactical Air Force lost several aircraft over enemy territory and the claim cannot be confirmed or refuted by from British records"

"4th May 1945 - Rudolf Schmitt claimed the destruction of a Typhoon near Rostock, and this time there is clear verification of the victory from British records. The 'Typhoon' was in fact a Tempest of No.486 Squadron piloted by Flying Officer M Austin, who parachuted to safety and was taken prisoner."

Sources of these claims are not included within the book... but perhaps a letter to Dr.Alfred Price will provide some documentary evidence to back up the claims - unless somebody here is able to point us to period documents?