Research Heinkel He-177 - 8 June 1944

[USAAF-Collection]

Hello,

In order to complete my next book, I’m looking informations about an Heinkel He-177 straffed and shot down on 8 June 1944.

This plane was shot down at 17h10 near Angoulême, near the town of Claix (south west of France) and was straffed by Lieutenant William J McGinty with the help of Lieutenant Cleveland J Brien Jr (355th Fighter Group).

About what I found, there was 4 soldiers injured and 1 soldier killed.

Can you help me to find informations about the unit of this plane and the name of the crew members ?

Thanks in advance

[edwest2]

See this old thread which has some information of interest.

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=17221

Best,
Ed

[Matti Salonen]

Maybe this:
1944-06-08, 13./KG 40, He 177 A-3, 535673, F8+DX, Bei Angoulême, 38 km ostsüdöstlich Cognac
Flugzeugführer Olt Heuritsch, Richard, +
Beobachter Fhj-Uffz Zander, Heinz, +
Bordfunker Fw Ditsche, Wolfgang, +
Bordwart Fw Sellmeyer, Friedolin, +
Bordschütze Ogfr Michalke, Adolf, +
Bordschütze Gefr Schafsteller, Wilhelm, +
1.Wart Uffz Schubert, Alfred, +
Luftkampf mit P-51 beim Überführungsflug. Bruch 100 %.

Matti

[USAAF-Collection]

Originally Posted by Matti Salonen

Maybe this:
1944-06-08, 13./KG 40, He 177 A-3, 535673, F8+DX, Bei Angoulême, 38 km ostsüdöstlich Cognac
Flugzeugführer Olt Heuritsch, Richard, +
Beobachter Fhj-Uffz Zander, Heinz, +
Bordfunker Fw Ditsche, Wolfgang, +
Bordwart Fw Sellmeyer, Friedolin, +
Bordschütze Ogfr Michalke, Adolf, +
Bordschütze Gefr Schafsteller, Wilhelm, +
1.Wart Uffz Schubert, Alfred, +
Luftkampf mit P-51 beim Überführungsflug. Bruch 100 %.

Matti

Hello,

That’s so incredible !!! I searched these informations for so many years, thanks a lot.

When there is a «*+*» at the end of the soldier’s name, is because they are dead ?
Is it possible to find where they are buried ?
Do you know if it’s «*easy*» to find a photo from this plane ?

I know where this plane was shot down, I have to go to detect there.

Thanks again for your help.

[Nick Beale]

In answer to two of your questions:

+ = dead

German War Graves Association: https://www.volksbund.de/en/volksbund.html

[USAAF-Collection]

Hello,

With your help, I just found the graves of the soldiers killed on 8.6.1944.
They were buried in the German Cemetery of Berneuil.

Here are the photos of their grave :

Alfred Schubert
Adolf Michalke



Wilhelm Schafsteller



Richard Heuritsch



Fridolin Sellmeyer
Heinrich Zander



Do you know how it could be possible to find photos of these soldiers or families ?

Thanks in advance

[USAAF-Collection]

Hello,

I found this photo on internet of an He 177 A-3 with the identification "F8".
Do you think that it could be the plane "F8+DX" i'm looking for ?



Thanks in advance

[Chris Goss]

Without sight of the last two letters on the fuselage, highly unlikely

[Merlin]

The photo in post #7 shows the unit code still in large letters, which were in use until spring 1943. Before that time only the 1./KG 40 was equipped with the He 177A-1.

[USAAF-Collection]

Originally Posted by Merlin

The photo in post #7 shows the unit code still in large letters, which were in use until spring 1943. Before that time only the 1./KG 40 was equipped with the He 177A-1.

Thanks a lot for your help