The last kill of WW2?

[Boomerang]

Hello Gary:

I assume you are discussing the last Allied aircraft shot down in Europe.

John Weal's Focke Wulf Fw 190 Aces of the Russian Front describes Gerhard Thyben, Staffelkapitan of 7/JG 54 shooting down a Red Banner Baltic Fleet Pe2 when flying from Courland to Kiel on the morning of 8 May 1945 (all while having his chief mechanic in his radio compartment!). The time is not specified more precisely in this account.

However, IIRC, Hartmann flew a sortie and shot down a Soviet fighter on 8 May. Determining the 'last' kill would depend on pinning down the times of the two victories mentioned above (and others that may come to light). You may also have the issue of dealing with victories in different time zones.

Cheers

Don