Schnaufer and Flak claim mystery 24-25 May 1944 at Riel, SSW Tilburg

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

On going through the OKL/RLM Flak and Nachtjagd claims listings for 24-25 May 1944, I came across a bit of a mystery. One of the claims made by Oblt. Schnaufer was a 'Lancaster' 7 kms SSW of Tilburg, an Abschuss which I am unable to tie to any known Bomber Command losses, but which was confirmed by the Abschusskommission as a full victory on 6 September 1944. However, a number of local Flak units also filed a claim for the same aircraft, but identified it as a 'Halifax'..

I've made the following entry in the NJWD 2nd edition manuscript:

Oblt. H.-Wolfgang Schnaufer: 74 Stab IV./NJG1 Lancaster 7 km. SSW Tilburg: 2.500 m. 01.29 unidentified. Note: victory confirmed on 6.9.1944. Note: also claimed by Flak of 3. & 5./gem. 591, 6./gem. 665 and 4./gem. 155 (Halifax Riel 01.27)

Who has any information about a 'heavy' that actually did come down at Riel, SSW of Tilburg, and which can be matched to the Schnaufer and Flak claims??

Cheers and thanks, Theo