Crash of Willi Knoll, 21 February 1945

[Karoband]

Gentlemen,

Concerning the loss of Oblt. Wilhelm Knoll on 21 February,

1. What type of Me 262 was W.Nr. 110565?

2. What time did he crash?

3. What were the circumstances causing this crash?

Thanks in advance,

Jim Geens

[Nick Beale]

http://www.ghostbombers.com/recon/262/nag6_3.html — about two thirds of the way down the page.

[Karoband]

Hi Nick,

This is my problem: I know that the General Quartermeister's report identifies it as a "Me 262 A-1". However, Forsyth & Creek in Me 262 Bomber And Reconnaissance Units p. 65 have Knoll in a Me 262 A-1a/U3 attempting to bounce two P-51s and getting shot down. Smith & Creek, Me 262 Volume 3 p. 581 also give it as a "A-1a/U3". O'Connell merely gives "Me 262 A" but mentions the P-51s. DeZeng & Stankey have two different Knolls in two different types of Me 262 crashing in "Red 2" on that date.
The Me 262 A-1a/U3 was usually unarmed but David E Brown mentions that at least four had one MK 108 in the nose. I wonder about a recce pilot trying to bounce two P-51s with only one cannon. To me Forsyth's account seems to be a garbled version of Lt. Harold E. Whitmore of 356FG's shoot-down of a Me 262 over Stettin at 15:30 hrs.
You can see why I am confused.

Jim