ID of LW pilot

[Kutscha]

In one of the 'Dogfight' programs 1/Lt Alden Rigby gets into a dogfight with a 109 that is flown expertly.

http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t...od109Pilot.flv

The following are said to have been shot down by fighters and KIA/MIA:

Bf109K-4 - Stab II./JG11, Fj. Uffz. Gunter Hoffman
Bf109G-14 - 8./JG11, Ofw. Franz Meindl
Bf109G-14 - 6./JG11, Fw Peter Reschke

Unknown cause:

Bf109G-14/AS - 7./JG11, Fw Herbert Kraschinski

Which pilot had the expertise to be the one Rigby was in combat with?

[Jim P.]

Any one of them? Seems any time a LW fighter pilot gave a good account of themselves against U.S. fighters he must have been an 'expert'.

[Andy Fletcher]

Obfw Franz Meindl had 31 claims (mostly with 7./JG 51) and was a recipient of the DKiG, but as Jim says that doesn't mean he was the pilot in question.

Can you confirm the date? Was it 01Jan45?

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Andy Fletcher]

Rigby actually made claims for 2 x ½ Bf 109 on 01Jan45 (+ 2 x FW 190). Did "Dogfight" mention who he shared the claims with?

[John Manrho]

Gentlemen, if some of you have my book, you will notice that I have put my bet on Ofw. Meindl....the manouvre that this 109 pilot pulled was not that of a beginner. That rules out Uffz. Hoffmann. Fw. Reschke was not shot down near Asch, so he isn't the one. Fw. Schwartz crash location is unknown, but likely further away from Asch and he wasn't shot down. Fw. Kraschinski was killed near Eupen. That only leaves Oblt. Engel and Ofw. Meindl. Engel wasn't that experienced on 109 either and he was likely shot down by F/O Johnson. That leaves Ofw. Meindl, and he would definetely fit in. His remains were never found.

regards,

John.

[RossGmann]

Websites that may be of interest.


http://www.jimsladesairlines.com/y-292.html
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/galle...1&searchString=
http://www.acepilots.com/discussions/newest_ace.html
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/cripesamighty/Historic.htm

Kind regards
Ross

[Kutscha]

Thanks you for your replies guys.

[eberbach]

Hello there John;

It looks like (if your facts of where pilots were downed is right), that Meindl would be the one out of available 109 pilots. I have been trying to find more about him but have had no luck, as most German aces that are discussed have kills in the hundreds. Do you have any information on him, biographical or otherwise? This would be a fascinating read and might also detail his flying tendencies which could further confirm he was the pilot in question (a long shot I know). Thanks for your earlier research, and for any further info you could provide.

[John Manrho]

Hello Eberbach,

I am not sure what you want. This is your first post and I do not know you. Did you read my book? There is some info on Ofw. Meindl. His whereabouts before joining II./JG 11 are more or less known. I do not understand what this would add to the theory that he is the Bf 109 pilot.

John.

[eberbach]

Hello there;
I do plan on reading your book, but I was just wondering about Meindl himself, as I cannot find anything online about him. Except for the fact he was in JG51 before transferring over to JG11, I find no info on him. Any info on him and his exploits is what I'm looking for. Thankyou for responding.