|
Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
Hi everybody
Here's the story (I'm quoting from www.luftwaffe.cz): On 11 May 1944, Oesau, leading three aircraft of the Stabsschwarm, took off from Paderborn to intercept Allied bombers raiding north-eastern Belgium and Luxembourg. During his attack on the bombers he was bounced by escorting P-38s. In the ensuing combat he was shot down and killed in his Bf 109 G-6/AS (W.Nr. 20 601) “Green 13” near St Vith. I know there was a vicious 20-minute-long dogfight at treetops, before Oesau fell. The problem is I can't find a single comfirmed victory by a P-38 pilot on that day! Anyone knows any details? At least, which group was responsible for downing the famed Kommodore JG 1. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
Oesau has been probably shot down by the Lt James L. Down (428th fighter squadron , 474th fighter group ,9th Air Force ).
It's impossible to find a victory claim for a Me 109 by a P38 that day in the sector because Doyle don't known that he had shot down the Oesau's 109 .
__________________
Jean-Charles MACE |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
Thank you! Yes indeed I haven't found any confirmed victories for 474th FG on that day.
Ironically, Oesau wasn't the first Luftwaffe ace downed by a P-38 pilot and not registered among USAAF victories. When on 25th Nov. 1943 Lt. Aldecoa of 55 FG collided in a head-on pass with Maj. Seifert, Gruppenkommandeur II./JG 26, both pilots perished. Aldecoa was filed by Germans as Seifert's 57th and last victory, while Aldecoa was never credited his 'kill', at least not until the end of WWII. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
The same with the guy who shot down Walter Schuck's Me 262 on 10 April 1945.
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
Steve Blake wrote about this combat extensively in his old 'Fighter Pilots in Aerial combat" magazine in the early 80s. I have it some where. They figured out the pilot who downed Oesau actually received only a damaged credit. He was, I beleive Lt Wilbur Jarvis.
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Who shot down Obst. Walter Oesau?
Jack, would it be possible for you to dig it up and scan for me? I'd be very grateful.
If so, pls mail me at: tomlagarto(at)tlen(dot)pl |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Friendly fire WWII | Brian | Allied and Soviet Air Forces | 803 | 8th July 2023 15:47 |
MARSEILLE his last kill | david Cotton | Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces | 59 | 23rd March 2012 20:08 |
Rudder of Walter Oesau? | Roger Gaemperle | Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces | 3 | 31st August 2005 15:50 |
Luftwaffe planes shot down by NZ ace - can you help? | Dave Homewood | Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces | 4 | 8th April 2005 17:17 |
56th FG - friendly fire case on 4 May 1943 - info needed | Lagarto | Allied and Soviet Air Forces | 28 | 12th March 2005 23:33 |