First Me 163 kill

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

The information posted regarding the alleged action on 5 August 1944 is in agreement with what I have read previously in that it is based mainly on the testimony of a B-17 crewman but not much else. It should be noted that even before this date there were reports of encounters with the Me 163, including on 28 July 1944 when eight P-51 fighters of the 359th FG, USAAF had contact with five aircraft of 1./JG 400, 29 July 1944 when Capt Arthur Jeffery of the 479th FG, USAAF claimed to have shot down a Me 163 but apparently only damaged it and 2 August 1944 when a F-5 reconnaissance aircraft was attacked but no known claims were made by the pilots of the rocket fighters on any of these dates. I honestly wonder how accurate is the information by Späte that Ryll claimed a B-17 in the first week of August 1944. I have found only the following claims for this pilot in Wood which is in agreement with most lists which credit this pilot with eight victories:

14 January 1943: Unteroffizier Hartmut Ryll of 1./JG 77 claims a P-40E
24 March 1943: Unteroffizier Hartmut Ryll of 2./JG 77 claims a Hurricane II
7 April 1943: Feldwebel Hartmut Ryll of 2./JG 77 claims a Spitfire at 9:02
2 July 1943: Feldwebel Hartmut Ryll of 2./JG 77 claims a Spitfire at 12:50
5 July 1943: Feldwebel Hartmut Ryll of 2./JG 77 claims a B-17 at 11:45
3 August 1943: Feldwebel Hartmut Ryll of 2./JG 77 claims a Spitfire V at 17:05 over 48 293 at 3,500 meters
30 August 1943: Feldwebel Hartmut Ryll of 2./JG 77 claims a P-38 at 12:30 over the Ischia area at 10 meters
16 August 1944: Leutnant Hartmut Ryll of 1./JG 400 claims a B-17 HSS at 10:52 north of Brandis at 6,000-7,000 meters

Perhaps Späte simply got the date wrong?

Horrido!

Leo

[DaveM2]

Thanks guys, all a bit confusing-but not unusual for that period of the war I guess! Seems the 16th is the more accurate (or documented) date despite 'possibles' earlier in the month.......

regards
Dave

[Brian Bines]

There is an account of the loss of Ryll on 16th Aug 1944 in an old Air Classics magazine. It states 'Outhouse Mouse' of the 91st BG had been damaged in attacks by IV/JG3, and had left formation. Ryll in Me163 163100 of 1/JG 400 (white 11) dived at the bomber decelerated and formated on its right hand side for about 30secs. He was then attacked by Lt. Col John B. Murphy and his wingman 1st Lt Mullins in P-51Ds of the 359th FG. the Komet crashing at 1052 hrs killing its pilot.

[DaveM2]

Fritz

Herr Bott confirmed to me that the 16th was the first officially confirmed victory (Schubert), thanks.

Dave