Who Shot down B-17 near Cassel, France, Dec. 1, 1943

[paddyob26]

I am trying to determine who shot down a B-17 on 1 December 1943 near Cassel, France. The aircraft was B-17F-55-BO, USAAF Serial No. 42-29505, 532nd Bomb Squadron, 391st Bomb Group, 1st Air Division, 8th Air Force, MACR 1578. They had been hit several times by flak over the target, Leverkusen, Germany. Three crewmen were dead and two were seriously wounded, no. 1 engine was feathered. They were not able to keep up with the formation in level flight so they descended gradually to keep pace with the Group. The aircraft made it back to the coast but was seen by other aircraft turning back inland. The post war interviews with the crew does not mention any German fighters after turning inland, just the aircraft exploding. The aircraft came down near Cassel, France. Another website, The American Memorial Association of St. Nazaire, lists 8th AF aircraft shot down over France. This aircraft is listed as shot down by fighters and crashing at the village of Steenvoorde, France which is just east of Cassel. Tony Woods' website of Luftwaffe fighter claims show three B-17's claimed in that general area, all within a ten minute time frame. Below are the three claims:

Oblt. Hugo Frey, 7./JG11, B-17, NF-7, 8,500m, N. Hazebrouck, 1320

Oblt. Wolfgang Neu, 4./JG26, B-17, NF-7, 3,900m, 3km N. Hazebrouck, 1327

Uffz. Heinz Voigt, 4./JG26, B-17, NF-58, 3,500m, Poperinghe-Bailleul, 1330

The altitudes at which the claims were made causes some thought. Unfortunately headings of the bombers are not given. I have tried to find a link to Luftwaffe fighter grid maps to pinpoint the claims but have not found anything. Any help or sugestions are appreciated.

Thank you,
Patrick

[Nokose]

Don Caldwell's excellent book "The JG26 War Diary volume 2 1943-1945" has this listed in the claims section for that day. Oblt Neu 4./JG26 his 6 victory B-17 Steenvoorde (NF-7). Uffz Voigt 4./JG26 his 1st victory B-17 E.of St. Omer (NF5-8) unit: 384 BG.