P-47 Actions 29 Mar 44 near Berlin

[Six Nifty .50s]

Originally Posted by Eagle0025

Howdy all,

I am trying to help out a German friend of mine with a research request. His father was Oblt. KarlHeinz Dietsche, Staffelkapitaen of 2./JG302. Oblt. Dietsche was involved in air combat with P-47s west of Berlin on 29 Mar 44. He was subsequently shot down in his Fw190 by a P-47 near Stendal, Germany (about 60 miles due west of Berlin). I am trying to determine who the P-47 pilot was who may have shot him down.

I searched the Air Force Historical Research Agency database that documents all AF aerial victory credits. I found 37 confirmed claims for 29 Mar 44. After discarding all P-51 unit credits, I came up with 9 possible candidates. They are as follows:

Callans, Glenn G. 1Lt, 352 FS
Forkin, Thomas J. Capt 352 FS
Jordan, William J. 1Lt. 352 FS
Rankin, Robert J. 1Lt. 61 FS
Rubner, Chester H. Jr. 1Lt. 359 FS
Schilling, David C. Lt. Col. 56 FG
Streit, William F. 1Lt. 352 FS
Thorne, James H. Major 359 FS

Does anyone know which of the above outfits (352nd FS, 61 FS, 359th FS, or 56th FG) was operating west of Berlin on 29 Mar 44?

Thanks much in advance. Cheers, Gary Koch

356th Fighter Group
Lt. Col. Tukey led a penetration support from 1154 to 1545 hrs. Landfall near Egmond at 1235 and R/V near Quackenbruck at 1301.

Three German fighters, identified as Me 109s, were seen in the Steinhuder Lake area. Maj. Thorne (HQ) claimed a 109 shot down and Lt. Rubner (359th Sqn) claimed another 109 shot down in the same action.

56th Fighter Group
Col. Zemke led a withdrawl support from 1242 to 1619 hrs. The planes were divided into 'A' and 'B' groups, although Zemke, Capt. Gladych and Lt. Robey took off on a freelance sweep about 10 minutes in advance of the two main formations.

Lt. Rankin (61st Sqn) was part of 'A' Group lifting off at 1252. Landfall near Ijmuiden at 1333 and R/V near Neinberg at 1410. About this time several German fighters, identified as Me 109s, were seen approaching from the southeast at 23,000 ft. Rankin claimed one destroyed.

Lt. Col. Schilling (HQ) led 'B' group lifting off at 1302. R/V over Sulingen at 1425. The B-17s were then under attack by German fighters that approached from the east. Schilling claimed one Me 109 destroyed.

Hope this helps.