Innsbruck Hötting Airfield Aerial View

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Dan O'Connell

TY Neal, great info. I know that the two small huts were actually hangers for civilian aircraft. The 262's were scattered through the area, and I'd love to eventually map their locations.

1. Who's Neal?

2. I did once start a rough sketch the locations of the Ju 87s and Fw 190s (from NSG 9, a unit that actually contributed something to the German war effort!). Step 1, buy a large scale map of the Innsbruck area - mine was aimed at hikers. The river bend is a fixed point of reference; the Innsbruck-Telfs road seems to follow its old line and can be seen on some of the old photos; there is a church on a hill top in the background (across the river) which gives another reference point. Better yet, the power line is still marked on the map, although surely it can't still be overhead, can it?

[Chris Going]

There will be images of this airfield preserved in the US National Archives, and probably in the former Royal Air Force Overseas Print Library (once at Keele, but now under -one hopes- effective management at RCAHMS in Scotland. There will also probably be something in the L section reports in AIR34, or AIR 29. Prints may well be attached to the relevant report.
I will be in the US National Archives next week and if I have a spare moment I will have a look.

The cover will have been in stereo.


best


ChrisG

[Nick Beale]

AIR23/8289: MASAF Intops Summaries March–April 1945 & 1st–4th May 1945

The daily reports often have a page or two summarising results of PR cover of enemy airfields.

According to this, there were 10 Me 262 at Innsbruck-West on 29 April 1945.

So ... another date, another photo to look for.

[Dan O'Connell]

[quote=Nick Beale;65602]1. Who's Neal?

quote]

Ooops! Sorry Nick, it was quite late, and perhaps a few too many "research enhancing" beers!

[Nick Beale]

[quote=Dan O'Connell;65647]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

1. Who's Neal?

quote]

Ooops! Sorry Nick, it was quite late, and perhaps a few too many "research enhancing" beers!

For my research, I follow the One True Path — caffeine.

[Dan O'Connell]

[quote=Nick Beale;65651]

Originally Posted by Dan O'Connell

For my research, I follow the One True Path — caffeine.

That works :-)

[Dan O'Connell]

Roger, per your map, we have a number of clues. The large mountains behind 857, the small hill on the other side of the valley. Sun angle on the shadows of photos of 590 (?) help as well.

[Kari Lumppio]

Originally Posted by Dan O'Connell

Roger, per your map, we have a number of clues. The large mountains behind 857, the small hill on the other side of the valley. Sun angle on the shadows of photos of 590 (?) help as well.

Hello!

For what it is worth. The expression "sun angle" reminded me of this nice site: "Sun or Moon Altitude/Azimuth Table" http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/AltAz.php

If one knows the location (coordinates) and (even approximate) date one can use the site to tabulate sun angle and direction for one day (any day and year) in required intervals. If sun angle can be determinated from photo then one can deduct the time (remember GMT +/- x hr) and sun (shadow) direction, too. Accuracy depends of the angle determination error and time interval in the table (you can use even 1 minute intervals).

When sun/shadow direction is clear it does help in putting the photo setting on map too. I have used this site several times since an Estonian friend suggested it years ago.

Cheers,
Kari

[David E. Brown]

Gents,

Any progress on the photo and map search?

Cheers,

David

[Roger Gaemperle]

Originally Posted by Dan O'Connell

Roger, per your map, we have a number of clues. The large mountains behind 857, the small hill on the other side of the valley. Sun angle on the shadows of photos of 590 (?) help as well.

Hi Dan, yes, you are right. The small hill with the building on top of it is a very good reference. There is also a church at the bottom of that hill that can be seen in some photos.

The location of 113371 are is still a mistery for me. 113371 was found in front of a big (half burnt) building

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

I did once start a rough sketch the locations of the Ju 87s and Fw 190s (from NSG 9, a unit that actually contributed something to the German war effort!). ...
Better yet, the power line is still marked on the map, although surely it can't still be overhead, can it?

Nick, would it be possible to share the map and the locations of the Ju 87 and Fw 190s? It is very interesting that the power line is still marked on the map. That would help a lot.

Behind WkNr. 111712 (before it was apparently moved to the "Me 262 collection point" in the South West) I can see two Ju 87 (JV44, Forsyth, P.300). The power lines are visible in the background. 111712 is pointing towards East and is South of today's landing strip. Looking towards North there is a building just behind 111712.

Originally Posted by Chris Going

I will be in the US National Archives next week and if I have a spare moment I will have a look.

Hi Chris, thanks a lot for the information about where one might be able to find aerial photos! That would be great if you could check if there is anything about Innsbruck when you are at the US National Archives!

Kind regards
Roger