Martin "Tino" Becker claims 22 March 1944

[rlapes]

Thanks Robert

This is really useful stuff - does the book give details of the other pilot's claims made that night?

It sounds like I need to find a copy of the book.

Does anyone have any note on Becker's 2nd claim: 21:53 around Paderborn ?
I don't have my notes in front of me but I think the closest match for his 2nd claim is:
DV384 at Obermelbecke (70km SE of Dortmund) - I estimated crash time at 21:45

So I am happier with claims 1,2 and 3.
But I am still concerned that an experienced pilot like Becker reports claims 4, 5 and 6 as NW Frankfurt - when they all South of West.
Why might this be?

It is helpful to note that claim 5 22:38 LW417 should be close to claim 6 22:39 LW512 Mohrweiler. To attribute LW417 as claim 5 suggests that someone has identified it on the ground. So I wonder why Chorley or Lost Bombers doesn't have a record?

A few more questions if I may:
Did Allied aircrews sometimes confuse JU88's & Bf110's ?

What was a typical operational speed and range for a Bf110?
Wiki tell's me: Bf 110's maximum speed increased to a respectable 541 km/h (336 mph) with a range of approximately 1,094 km (680 mi)
(A quick car trip round the crash site gives 991km)

What systems would Becker's Bf110 been equipped with?

A quick summary of how it's shaping up:
Becker takes off 20:20 and heads North until he intercepts the bomber stream near Padderborn. He enters the stream and in the next 30 mins claims 3 victims. By now the raid on Frankfurt is well underway and Becker can probably tell this. So he goes looking for the returning bomber stream heading South he intercepts it between Mainz & Trier and in 10 mins claims 3 more victims. At this point either due to low ammo and/or fuel he returns to Finthen base at 23:13.

What do you think?
Cheers Robert

[robert]

Hi,

yes that book lists all claims made on this night and almost all claims made in the west by German Night Fighter Arm. Apart of this it is filled with personal accounts, stories, photos and other information`s.
So I think it is a must-have for you.

Regards

Robert

[rlapes]

Folks

Here's an updated diagram (.PDF) that summarises a lot of my research so far. It shows the raid route and the Lancaster & Halifax crash sites with the approximate time and, if shot down, who claimed it.
The blue shapes show the approximate time and area for a nightfighter claim. As you can seen they do not always match up.

What I hoped to understand with this thread is why Becker's claims are not always close to the crash sites.

Any feedback on how to improve the diagram welcomed. (I'll try and find a better colour blue for the PDF. It's OK as a .JPG but the file size was too big).

regards
Robert

[FrankieS]

nice diagram, super !!!

[Luke384]

Hi,

this is an really interesting thread, especially for me, because I´m living about 25 kilometres away from DV384´s chrash side!!

Best greetings from Germany: Lukas

[Stevie W]

Originally Posted by Luke384

Hi,

this is an really interesting thread, especially for me, because I´m living about 25 kilometres away from DV384´s chrash side!!

Best greetings from Germany: Lukas

Hi Luke
My father in laws brother was the rear gunner on DV384 on that night I am doing research into the activities of that night and trying to establish for certain how he died. I think from what you guys on here say Tino Becker shot down DV384 I do intend to visit Germany next year to visit the crash site/area if possible and then to go to the cemetry in Holland. Is the crash site somewhere you can visit ??