24 May 1944 JG27 claims for B-17s of 97th and 463rd BG

[Steve_Fossey]

Hi All,

I am attempting to match JG27 claims for 24 May 1944 near Agram (Zagreb) Yugoslavia with the two B-17s shot down near there (A/C 42-31841 of 463rd BG 775th BS and probably A/C 42-31392 "Our Baby'' 97th BG 414 BS or possibly 42-30169 ''Lady Luck'' 97th BG 341 BS). Any information or suggestions for where I might look would be appreciated. My German is mostly limited to ordering beer and various delicious but heart-unhealthy foods; however, I know a couple native speakers who are willing to translate.

Here is what I have so far: http://aces.safarikovi.org/victories/doc/victories-germany-ww2-claims-b-17.pdf lists the pilots as Uffz. Günter Tschertner and Oblt. Ernst-Georg Altnorthof. I recall seeing somewhere that Uffz. Tschertner was credited with A/C 42-31392 "Our Baby''. By a process of elimination that would leave Oblt. Altnorthof with A/C 42-31841. Unfortunately, I’ve lost the source for the information on Uffz. Tschertner (a forum on a website). Also, a source for Oblt. Altnorthof being credited with A/C 42-31841 would be stronger evidence than simply inferring it by a process of elimination.

I have the MACR for A/C 42-31841 and I’m in the process of trying to locate the KU report at the USA National Archives.

My primary interest is in A/C 42-31841 (463rd BG), since my father was Radio Operator on that ship. He didn’t know anything about the LW pilot except that he was flying a Bf-109. A/C 31841 was lead ship in the second echelon and shot down on the second pass of the fighters about 1010 in the morning. A/C 42-31841 crashed near Schönstein, Yugoslavia (now Sostanj, Slovenia). Late in the day after my father had been captured, a German flying officer came in to look at him and two other crewmembers. The officer said nothing, but my father always assumed that the officer was the pilot that shot down his plane.

Thanks for your time and expertise,

Steve Fossey

PS both LW pilots were from 10. Staffel IV. JG 27 at the time based near Agram (Zagreb).