B-17 downed off Calais 24 Apr 44

[horridohutch]

Gentlemen this is my first post. In my home for a few years, in a place of honor, I have a Purple Heart medal and document awarded to Lt William Nesen who was KIA that day. I have researched the man and know much about him and his final flight, now I am hoping to discover who shot him down. That is why I am posting to this forum, hoping to tap into the knowledge that I know is here. I have read some Luftwaffe claims lists, read JG26 War Diary and used other means to no avail. I am hoping to get some clues here from you.
Mission #315 of the 385th BG 550th SQ, the 17-20th mission of the crew flying B-17F 42-3388 "Sleepytime Gal". The A/C was hit by FLAK over Fredrichshafen and dropped out of formation. The crew voted to fly home to AAF station #155, Great Ashfield, instead of Switzerland as many had chosen to do that day. Somewhere at the French coast off of Pas De Calais, north of Boulogne they were attacked by 2 ME 109s and shot down. Last known sighting of aircraft was @1555 when the B-17 was seen to crash, 54 02'N 01 30'E. I have some more information regarding crew names and survivors, I hope this is enough to get started.
I am a huge fan of the Jagdewaffe and focus on the operations of the fighter pilots of the Luftwaffe. I collect Autographs, badges,helmets, books and anything I can get my hands on.. :-)! I also study The American and British side as well.
I have seen the Missing Aircrew Report and that is where most of my information was found, I also have been in contact with a nephew of one of the crew, a kind gentleman from a 385th history site sent me a photo of the nose art on the bomber although the relative disagrees that it was a photo of "Sleepytime Gal".
I know that it is possible that a pilot from either JG2 or JG26, being responsible for the area, was the rotte that intercepted the crippled bomber. Please give me some clues to continue my search, and I also hope to contribute some of my humble knowledge to this forum.

Thank you and warmest regards,
Hutch
Southern California

[Snautzer]

more info of the B-17F S/N 42-3988 including MACR report. For place of crash see the map wich could indicate the jagdgruppe could have been there. Reading the newspaper interview i doubt if there was a kill reported.

http://phil.philwells.net/Sleepytime...pytimegal.html

[horridohutch]

Thank you Snautzer for your response, I have seen this information. Phil Wells is the man I have been in contact with. He was actually hoping to find some pictures of the crew and send me copies which would have been great!
Which Jagdgruppe do you think was in contact? I was also worried that the contact and downing might not have been reported. I guess that might be a solid possibility, thanks again.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Tony Wood claim list has the following in this area:

JaFü II. Jagdkorps/Lfl. 3:
24.04.44 Oblt. Waldemar Radener: 17 ► 7./JG 26 B-17 HSS £ N.E. St. Dizier: 7-8.000 m. 12.22 Film C. 2027/I VNE: ASM
24.04.44 Uffz. Tamann: - 7./JG 26 P-51 £ - 13.40 Reference: DLC JG 26 f. 248
24.04.44 Fw. Günther Marsfelde 7./JG 2 B-17 £ C 36: 2.000 m. 16.35 Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr.132
24.04.44 Ltn. Hans-Ulrich Tartsch 10./JG 2 B-17 £ 35 km. W.N.W. Charleville: 700 m. 17.40 Film C. 2027/I Anerk: ASM

Supplemental Claims from Sources:
24.04.44 Oblt. Paul Schauder: n.b. 10./JG 26 B-17 £ - - Reference: DLC JG 26 f. 248

There are many other claims by I. Jajdkorps units but over Germany.

[horridohutch]

Laurent- Thank you for your response, this is exactly the information that I need to check out. I may have checked these allready, but I will look into them again and see if thay fit. I have seen the numerous claims over Germany that day, there are a bunch. This is exactly what I am hoping you guys can do, that is... give me more info to sort through and hopefully I will discover the answer I am seeking! Thanks again!

[horridohutch]

Would someone let me know if the time reported in the Luftwaffe Claims lists is the same as what a US bomber crew would report, IE..... 1500 = 3 o'clock pm or even that they would report using the same time.

Thanks!

[Snautzer]

see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western...an_Summer_Time and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central...an_Summer_Time

[horridohutch]

I have seen the story behind the downing of the B-17 by Ltn Hans Ulrich Tartsch of 10/JG2 a bomber 35 km WNW of Charlville. It was a different B17 well documented as far as crew capture and ground witness. The altitude and time was the best fit as per the claim by the pilot. This although they were supposedly flying 190s. I have seen info that Tartsch did not convert to the 190 from a 109 until May of that year, but alas I can scratch this from the list provided above. Next to check... Oblt. Radener, the altitude @ 7-8000m would equate to 20,000 feet? I do not believe that "Sleepytime Gals" crew was on oxygen at the time of the attack. Can someone confirm my altitude conversion.

Thanks.

[Snautzer]

In the pilots manual of the b17F it was advised to start using oxygen at 10,000 feet. Thats about 3000m