109 recce - victim of Pierre Clostermann over Scapa Flow...

[Kurfürst]

Hi,

I am looking for any details about the 109G (presumably G-4/R3 long range fighter-recce) that was shot down by Pierre Clostermann's wingman over/around Scapa Flow in early 1944, flying a Mk VII 'strato Spit' pressurized high alt interceptor (or so he tells in his book 'The Big Show').

Does anyone have details on this particular recce 109G's pilot, unit and base of operations... ?

[Brian Bines]

Bf 109G-6/R3 wn 20357 A6+XH of 1(F)/120 Ff. Oblt. Helmut Quednau missing on 20th.Feb.1944. The combat report is for P/O J. Blair D.F.M. and F/L Bennetts of 602 Sqd. with the 109 credited to P/O Blair. I can only assume Pierre's account is written from F/L Bennetts point of view. Source NVM and Combat Report.
P/O Blairs Spitfire damaged Cat. E belly landed on Island of Stronsay following being hit by debris from the 109.

[Andy Mac]

Good grief - I've just read the latest edition of The Big Show. I'm certain, but I'll double-check, that Clostermann was wingman to Blair.

[Andy Mac]

'Tussle in the Stratosphere', page 129. Clostermann describes how he and a pilot called 'Ian' intercepted the 109. As usual his description has me in the cockpit with him. Maybe there is a bit of artistic licence - and Pierre wrote from other's perspectives. No matter, it's still my favourite book and I've still read it a million times!

[Brian Bines]

In my old edition of The Big Show the chapter starts to the effect if this was a Victorian novel it would be called The unexpected consequences of a game of chess. As such once I got a copy of the combat report I have always assumed Pierre included a unique combat in his book based on what he was told by Bennetts, whatever the book is still gripping written by a man who did not shirk his duty.
The Big Show refers to Ian Blair but the combat report (poor copy) looks more like J.Blair.

[Brian]

Hi guys

Poor old Pierre! RIP

If anyone can check Blair's DFM, we will know just who he was and why he received his award.

Cheers
Brian

[John Beaman]

Wasn't there a thread, here, some months/years back that, in effect, concluded Clostermann was on the ground when this happened and, as someone said, used a little "artistic liscense" to put it in his book as his mission?

Anyway, still a great book and very gripping descriptions of combat in the spring of '45.

[Kurfürst]

Excellent stuff guys, I am amazed by the level of detail on this board sometimes...

[Chris Goss]

Surely we have done this one to death! Ian Blair was awarded the DFM whilst he was a Navigator for flying his Blenheim back when his pilot was severely (if not fatally) wounded in the Western Desert. He was immediately recommended for pilot training and when he was posted to 501 Sqn was immediately bounced by JG 2 and shot down. This was his only kill with 602/as a fighter pilot and he was still alive a few years ago-nice chap

[CJE]

You'd better take "The Big Show" for what it is, a brilliant novel based on a WW2 Free French pilot experience.
As Fox "Mölders" would put it: truth is elsewhere.