Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4

[Johannes]

Hi Chris

Sorry, a senior moment, yes Ewert. Usually night-fighter pilots claims are very honest(Kurt welter an exception). Got the Alwin Meyer information from a flugbuch, so might very have been with 6./ZG 26 as stated by John. There seem to be no daily mikrofilms entries 11-13 September 1943, therefore likely the Mosquito claim was unconfirmed, or less likely mikrofilms for this day lost.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[John Manrho]

Yes, Lt. Alwyn Meyer was from Dec 1941 till May 1942 with the old 6./ZG 26 in Russia. He scored 4 more vic in Dec 1943 and Jan 1944 with the new 5./ZG 26 as an Oblt. and Staffelführer. I have his total as 7.

[Johannes]

Hi John

I made it five in the period you state:-

29,11.43 B-17
01,12.43 B-24 Cologne area
11,12.43 B-17 Waddenzee area 1232 hrs 7200 metres
11,01.44 B-17 x 2 Blankersee area

The four without times must be unconfirmed as missing from the mikrofilms.. January 1944's mikrofilm daily sheet remain missing, but they is a mikrofilm listing date and time only, and there's nothing for 11th January 1944 on it.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[John Manrho]

He does not report on 29.11.43 an Abschuss in his FB. There is something with a Boeing Fortress on that day in the remarks, but he clearly marks his 01.12.43 claim as his 4th...

[Johannes]

Hi John

Am sure your correct, I'll check again and update my biography.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[Johannes]

Hi John

Personally I think it is a claim on 29th November 1943. Reason being he has scripted this like his other claims. Seems he came to grief himself and omits the flying time. Can't read the last word written, but "1 Boing Fortress in ....."

His hand-writing is appalling though, I suspect he was disappointed each Christmas when he asked Santa for a boomerang, and Santa read it as break both my legs !

Perhaps we need other eyes on this one.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[Chris Goss]

Of interest hidden in a document sent to me by Nick Beale, it states that on 13 Apr 44, Gilfert was awarded the EKI for 19 missions more than four hours and seven less than four hours