Me110 & Me163 downed 14 April 1945

[Steve Brew]

On 14 April 1945, 41 Squadron's Sqn. Ldr. John Shepherd sighted an Me110 towing and Me163 Komet taking off from Nordholz Aerodrome. He shot up the Me110, which went down in flames. The Me163 released itself from the tow-line but as they were taking off at the time likely had not sufficient power to rescue itself. It, too, went down a few fields away.

I believe the Me110 was from 7/NJG3 and the Me163 from I/JG400, whose pilot was Obfw. Werner Nelte, who survived. Can anyone confirm these details, please, and share the identities and fates of the crew of the Me110?

Thanks
Steve

[Steve Brew]

Any suggestions, please, gents?

[Frans A]

Steve,
An Ofw. Werner Nelte was KIA on 45-04-14 and is burried at Cuxhaven-Brockeswalde in Germany. See Volksbund.de
Book Deutsche Nachtjagd Balss. 45-04-13/14 Bf 110G-4 7./NJG 6 crashed near Pfaffenhofen. Piloot Lt. Gareis KIA 2 Other crewmembers (no names) OK
Volksbund.de gives a Lt. Wolfgang Gareis KIA 45-04-19 at Pfaffenhofen.
Gareis was may be WIA on 14 April and died on 19th.
FransA

[pstrany]

I do believe this is covered in the Classic Publications book on the 163, volume 2, including a picture. Can't put my hands on this book right now, hopefully later.....

Paul

[Nick Beale]

The incident is depicted on the cover of Opsrey's "Mosquito Aces" book, with an extended caption inside, but not the detail you're after.

[Steve Brew]

Thanks Frans, Paul and Nick

I appreciate your feedback, which has brought me further than I was before.

Paul, if you have a copy of the book you refer to, could you please tell me what it includes or - ideally, if possible - scan and e-mail me the relevant page/s, please? brewATclientsDOTch

Thanks
Steve