42-31572 My Beloved Too/My Beloved Also - 21 Feb 1944

[Cees Steijger]

B-17G 42-31572, 401BS/91BG [LL-Y], was shot down by fighters/flak on 21 Feb 1944. According to various sources around 14.00 hours the group part of 1st Combat Wing was attacked by Luftwaffe fighters while on their way to Güthersloh. The primary target was obscured by clouds, thus the group bombed Achmer as an alternative.
According to a German report the B-17 went down on 15.30 hours in Hiltrup near Münster (south 7 kms). See attached.

The MACR doesn't give a clue about times.

According to O.K.L. Fighter Claims - Reich, West & Südfront
January-April 1944, Issue No. 1, around 14.00 hours ZG26 and JG11 were active in the area Lüchtringen/w. Hannover (B-17F 42-30712 Miss Minookie code OR-R - 91BG/323BS went down at that time in this area). Apparantly 42-31572 was hit but could escape - at three top level, according to the MACR: 'on the deck', due west, ergo: home.

Now the issue. The distance between Lüchtringen and Hiltrup is ca. 120 kms. Ergo ca 30 min. flight time plus/minus. Who has an explanation for the crash time of 15.30 hours?

--Cees

PS: Achmer was bombed approx 14.50 hours. From Lüchtringen to Achmer (via Güthersloh) is 190 kms which is approx. 48 minutes flight time...
PPS: Höxter area - Lowestoft is course 281 which passes the city of Münster.