German who shot down my dad's plane

[Laurent Rizzotti]

To be complete, here are the Germans claims of IV./JG 3 and III./JG 53 this day, from the Prien book (for III./JG 53 there is the same number of claims but with one different name and some differences in location and claim number):

16.08.43 Uffz. Friedrich Scheer: 5 8./JG 53 B-24 25 km. S. Melfi: 5.500 m. (Basilicata) 12.44
16.08.43 Uffz. Rudolf Wannek: 3 9./JG 53 B-24 S.E. Melfi: 5.500 m. (Basilicata) 12.46
16.08.43 Uffz. Jens Bahnsen: 17 8./JG 53 B-24 15 km. S.W. Potenza: 3.000 m. 12.47
16.08.43 Ofw. Günther Seeger: 40 7./JG 53 B-24 Forenza: 6.000 m. 12.50
16.08.43 Ltn. Herbert Kutscha: 26 12./JG 3 B-24 5 km südlich San Matteo: 5.000m 12.51
16.08.43 Uffz. Werner Reinhardt: 1 7./JG 53 B-24 S. Palazzo San Gervasio: 3.500 m. 12.51
16.08.43 Ltn. Hans Iffland: 1 12./JG 3 B-24 PlQu. 14 Ost / 58251: 5500m 12.53
16.08.43 Fw. Helmut Kühl: 11 9./JG 53 B-24 5 km. S. Montemilone: 4.000 m. 12.53
16.08.43 Fw. Herbert Pokeuske: 1 12./JG 3 B-24 PlQu. 14 Ost /6854: 5500m 12.55
16.08.43 Uffz. Otto Zendler: 1 8./JG 53 B-24 S. Potenza: 4.000 m. 12.55
16.08.43 Ltn. Martin von Vacano: 4 9./JG 53 B-24 5 km. S. Fossiata: 5.000 m. (Potenza) 12.55
16.08.43 Ltn. Hans Rachner: 1 12./JG 3 B-24 PlQu. 14 Ost /58271: 5500m. 12.59
16.08.43 Uffz. Georg Amon: 2 7./JG 53 B-24 15 km. S. del Colle: 5.300 m. 13.05

So we have 13 German claims against 8 US losses (7 of 44th BG and 1 of 376th BG), this is not unusual in battles against US bombers that went down not easily (and even rather good compared to other battles).

But it is also possible that Italian fighters participated in this battle. My sources are only about German fighters so I have no idea.

I appreciate the help. I'll poke around a little more but will probably limit it. I'm finding that looking for answers often unearths even more questions. Thanks again!