Spit PR shot down 5 March 1042

[CJE]

Hi!

Can aynone give me the identity of both the pilot (POW) and the Spit PR shot down over Brest on 5 March 1942?
For the record, his victor was Heinz Knoke.
Thanks in advance.

Chris

[Andrei Demjanko]

Spitfire PR.IV AA810 - 1 PRU, F/Lt A.D.M.Gunn baled out and captured, murdered by Gestapo following the Great Escape in April 1944

The location is not Brest but Trondheim, Norway. Credit to the victory was given to Dieter Gerhardt, Knoke's wingman

[CJE]

Than you, Andreï.
Brest is my mistake.
However, I have a report from Knoke stating that he personaly shot down the aircraft and that he was given a French brandy bottle by his Kommandeur for his victory.

[Faenor]

http://ktsorens.tihlde.org/flyvrak/beverdalen.html

Faenor

[CJE]

Great!
Thanks for sharing.

[Andrei Demjanko]

Originally Posted by CJE

However, I have a report from Knoke stating that he personaly shot down the aircraft and that he was given a French brandy bottle by his Kommandeur for his victory.

My source is Jim Perry's claim lists (the one, called "Claims West" to be exact), which could be found here: http://don-caldwell.we.bs/claims/tonywood.htm

In his memoir "I Flew for the Führer" Knoke mentioned, that it was Ltn Gerhard, who finished the Spitfire off. He also mentioned the bottle of brandy, describing that he shared it with Gerhard and even that they give a drink to already captured Alastair Gunn.

[Andrei Demjanko]

Faenor, thank you for the link, great website!

However, CWGC listed the date of F/Lt Gunn's death as 6 April, 1944

[CJE]

Great!
Thanks.

[Chris Goss]

Gunn was murdered following recapture after participating in Tthe Great Escape I believe

[Kutscha]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Gunn was murdered following recapture after participating in The Great Escape I believe

He was.