Hans Philipp

[Klaus Schiffler]

The loss list in Jochen Prien's book, Jagdgeschwader 1 und 11, indicates that Hans Phillip was killed in combat with B-17s. He was flying Fw 190A-6, Red One, W.Nr. 530 407. He was flying with his wingman, Hans-G. Reinhardt, who rammed a B-17 and had to force-land, being wounded. These two pilots were flying in a Rotte (two aircraft). Reinhardt stated that Philipp had shot down his B-17 (206th kill) but his aircraft had taken hits and then flew down into the lower layers of clouds and did not return.

Johnson's statement is that he attacked four Fw 190s and shot down the flight leader. I don't think this could be Philipps since he was flying only with his wingman. Johnson's victory could be any number of Fw 190s also lost by JG 1 and 11.

I don't know how Johnson got the idea that he shot down Philipps but it does help the ego to image one shot down a top ace rather than an ordinary fighter pilot. Perhaps Martin Caidin gave him the idea as co-author of Thunderbolt. Caidin's record speaks for itself.