Uffz. Gustav Frey crash 22 September 1943

[Larry deZeng]

I just checked the Tony Woods site and there do not appear to have been any Luftwaffe claims over Holland on 22 September; so, like many attempts to intercept enemy intruders, this one may have failed to make contact. But the Flak defenses would have been alerted along the coastal area and further inland and overly eager gunners may have opened up on Frey's machine thinking it to be an enemy fighter.

L.

[vinnie]

Originally Posted by Larry deZeng

I just checked the Tony Woods site and there do not appear to have been any Luftwaffe claims over Holland on 22 September; so, like many attempts to intercept enemy intruders, this one may have failed to make contact. But the Flak defenses would have been alerted along the coastal area and further inland and overly eager gunners may have opened up on Frey's machine thinking it to be an enemy fighter.

L.

Thanks, Larry. This must have been what happened to Frey.

About the claims; maybe a bit off topic, but it seems that Uffz. Eduard Bartsch from 4./JG 3 crashed that day at 13.20 PM. US P47 pilot 1st. Lt. Jesse W. Gonnam from the 353nd FG claimed an Me-109 at about the same time, on the same location where Bartsch crashed.
Here is the link for the combat report:

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.o...m-22sept43.jpg

[Larry deZeng]

Yes, the time of engagement seems about right - one hour difference between the time given in the U.S. combat report and the time given in the German report. I could not find a Schoonhaven, but I assume it's in the Utrecht area?

The U.S. pilot's name appears to be Connam?

Larry

[vinnie]

Yes, Schoonhoven is the correct location given by the report and the Dutch losses register. It is located in the province of South-Holland.
The name of the pilot was Jesse W. Gonnam, apparently an ace with 5 victories. He became POW when he was captured by the Germans on 23 April 1944.

[Larry deZeng]

Thanks, Vinnie.

Regarding the pilot's last name, the first letter looked more like a "C" than a "G". But you have devoted a lot of research time on this so I am sure you are correct and it's a "G". Interesting that he was shot down himself just 6 months later.

L.

[Fokker100]

Gentleman,

It looks that Uffz Frey's ME109 did not crash in the IJsselmeer but in the village of Grootebroek about 10 km from Enkhuizen.
At this moment we are doing investigation there.

[vinnie]

Originally Posted by Fokker100

Gentleman,

It looks that Uffz Frey's ME109 did not crash in the IJsselmeer but in the village of Grootebroek about 10 km from Enkhuizen.
At this moment we are doing investigation there.

Interesting to hear! According to the official Dutch loss register a Fw-190 crashed in Grootebroek, an event which is often confused with the crash of the Me-109 of Uffz. Frey. However, no other details are known about the crash of Gustav Frey than given in this thread. Hopefully more research will make things clear.