B-17G Claim

[Tom Matlosz]

If possible, I am trying to determine which German fighter pilot took claim for shooting down my wife's uncle's B-17G on 29 July 1944, which crashed 800 meters south of Hassenhausen, which is west of near Bad Kosen and Naumberg. The B-17 was from the 349th Bomb Squadron (100th Bomb Group) enroute to Merseburg. Serial number was 43-37655. Based on available databases, I have narrowed it down to five or six pilots from JG51 or JG302. Are there after action operational reports for these groups which might provide further definitive information?

[Horst Weber]

Originally Posted by Tom Matlosz

If possible, I am trying to determine which German fighter pilot took claim for shooting down my wife's uncle's B-17G on 29 July 1944, which crashed 800 meters south of Hassenhausen, which is west of near Bad Kosen and Naumberg. The B-17 was from the 349th Bomb Squadron (100th Bomb Group) enroute to Merseburg. Serial number was 43-37655. Based on available databases, I have narrowed it down to five or six pilots from JG51 or JG302. Are there after action operational reports for these groups which might provide further definitive information?

Tom,

the time of crash of this a/c is recorded by KU-reports #`s 2590 (Punschrau bei Bad Koesen) and 2591 (Hassenhausen bei Naumburg) as 10:10h a.m.

Horst Weber

[Johannes]

Hi Horst

Luftwaffe claimed twenty-one B-17's this day.

7 via 2./JG 51 between 1025 and 1027 hrs
3 via 12./JG 3 all at 1030 hrs
1 via II./JG 27 1053 hrs
4 via 1,3 and 4./JG 302 between 1015 and 1020 hrs
6 via 1,2,3,7 and 9./JG 300 between 1010 and 1048 hrs

The two claimed at 1010 hrs were by Leutnant Otto Kobert 24/10/1915-07/09/1944 20km west of Leipzig at 8000 metres altitiude with 9./JG 300. Leutnant Hans Werner Kahl 11/07/1923-26/09/1944 NW Wendelstein at also 8000 metres with 7./JG 300.

All JG 51's were over Linz, Austria, so not likely.

Don't know where JG 51 or JG 3's were, but more likely to the South of Germany.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[Johannes]

Tom/Horst

Most likely unless somebody can come up with another name is Otto Kobert. His claim for west of Leipzig is in the general area. Leipzig itself is about 40km eastnortheast of between Nauburg and Bad Kosen i.e 20 km from the crash-site.
90% sure it's Kobert. Would have been the fifth of his six confirmed claims.

Regards

Johannes

[Terra Inc.]

Werner Kahl claimed his victory "NW Wendelstein Saxony". This is about 80kms SE of the crash site. Not very likely...

[Tom Matlosz]

Originally Posted by Johannes

Tom/Horst

Most likely unless somebody can come up with another name is Otto Kobert. His claim for west of Leipzig is in the general area. Leipzig itself is about 40km eastnortheast of between Nauburg and Bad Kosen i.e 20 km from the crash-site.
90% sure it's Kobert. Would have been the fifth of his six confirmed claims.

Regards

Johannes

Johannes, is it possible to determine the code markings of Otto Kobert's Bf-109 G-6 on 29 July 1944? Would it be possible to locate a photo of Otto Kobert? Did he survive the war?

Regards,

Tom Matlosz