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

[kaki3152]

From Prien III & IV/JG-27:

Claims:
Uffz. Gunter Tschertner - 10./JG-27 1 B-17 1015 Over Zagreb
Oblt. Ernst-Georg Altnorhoff - 10./JG-27 1 B-17 1016 Over Zagreb
Uffz. Gregor Poppe - 11./JG-27 1 B-24 HSS 1030 over Zagreb
Lt. Ernst Gunther - 10./JG-27 1 B-24 1035 over Zagreb
Hptm Otto Mayer - Stab IV/JG-27 1 B-24 HSS 1115 over Zagreb

Losses:
10//JG-27 Oblt. Hans-Georg Altnorhoff wounded BF-109G-6 16253 100% bailed out
10./JG-27 Obgfr. Hans Solotarew KIA Bf-109G-6 100% 412402
IV/JG-27 unknown Air combat Bf-109G-6 100%
plus two other B-109G lost not due enemy action

[Steve_Fossey]

Thanks for the additional information. I think, Obgfr. Hans Solotarew was probably shot down by return fire from the 463rd BG B-17s. There are several claims by bomber crewmen that are in the right location and no fighter claims that match well. Oblt. Ernst-Georg Altnorhoff was probably shot down by P-51s of the 31st FG. They were escorting B-24s but the 463rd BG reported that the Bf-109s were driven off by P-51s.

[Nokose]

Isn't 5000 ft a little low for a B-17 raid? I noticed that Tschertner's first victory was this B-17 and it was Altnorhoff's 8th so was Tschertner possibly a wingman? The time of the crash and the time of claim isn't always the same a lower altitude recovery can extend that time.

[Steve_Fossey]

Originally Posted by Nokose

The time of the crash and the time of claim isn't always the same a lower altitude recovery can extend that time.

A good point and one I had not thought of. I will need to go back through the information I have. The MACRs for the 97th BG A/C indicate they were losing altitude coming off the target (Atzgersdorf) but do not say why. Also, the unit histories for the individual squadrons do not mention how the aircraft were lost.