Bf 109 G-6, WerkNr. 441 744

[Jochen Prien]

Dear David,

many thanks for your valuable input. And yes, it would be helpful if we could narrow down the time frame in which these images were taken.

The most reliable dates are 31 July 1944, the day the photos were apparently taken near St. Lô, and 5 July, the earliest date appearing in one of Jim Crow's captions. It also appears quite safe to assume the aircraft was shot down while strafing the airfield near Le Molay (A9). So the next step would be to find out, when this a/f became operational and when it was dicovered by the Luftwaffe. The first may be easier to find out based on allied documents. ULTRA does show some reports of alliied a/f in Normandy that were discovered by either Luftwaffe or Army units but they're scattered and it would take quite some time to go through all of the ULTRA messages looking for this particular message - if it is there at all.

So, is anybody out there who can supply the date the a/f at Le Molay became operational ?

KR

Jochen Prien

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Hi there Gang,

A-9 Le Molay has the following dates:

1. initial construction date: 20 June 1944
2. Initial operational date: 30 June 1944
3. Date of release by USAAF: 5 July 1944.

The latter date fits well with the earliest date appearing on Jim Crow's captions. Wishing us the best to pinpoint the pilot of W.Nr. 441 744.

Source: USAF Historical Air university Department of the Air Force, The History of IX Engineers Command, Airfield statistics Annex via http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/9usaaf/9alg.php?page=a9

Cheers
Marc

[Jochen Prien]

Thanks, Marc.

This information seems to add to the likelihood that "black 9" was lost on 7 July 1944, becoming a total loss, while Uffz. Schlesinger was able to return to his unit. As recited in the US Report quoted by Heuser, the a/c seems to have been lying between the lines for some days indicating that when its pilot had to force land this took place while the terrain was still in German Hands, the allied lines only closing in during the following days. With the then still rather slow progress of the front in the direction of St. Lô it took several days until the a/c could be salvaged and brought to the place near St. Lô where it was photographed on 31 July 1944. Certainly still only a guess but with the known losses of IV./JG27 it appears quite likely.

Thanks to all contributors - and let's Keep on searching.

KR

Jochen Prien