B-17F claim - Belgium - 4 March 1944

[Leendert]

On 4 March 1944 B-17F serial 42-30412 (Mischief Maker II) of 96th BG/339th BS was attacked by Me-109s and ultimately came down a bit SE of Brussels. B-17 was recalled 20 miles east of Bonn from mission to Berlin. On return flight the atacks began, with end result the crash in central Belgium.

Looking if a Lw-pilot and/or his unit were credited with the shooting down (or damaging? of this B-17. Two engines were shot on fire. Pilot had put the bomber on automatic and crew could bail out before the crashlanding (some EVD, some POW). According pilot's account (Lt Paul Herring) it was around 1:00 pm that day when he pulled his chute.

Thanks for info.

Regards,
Leendert

[Revi16]

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/39
http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/5222

[ClinA-78]

Hi,

Mischief Maker II crashed in Glabais, in good condition, after its crew jumped successfully. Fuselage laid months in Genappe station until Liberation. Never heard about a Luftwaffe claim by the way. Some crewmembers come back in Glabais 25 years ago, I missed them by some months...

ClinA-78

[Leendert]

Was just wondering if the Me-109 attacks resulting in the B-17F crash were somehow claimed after all by a Lw-pilot.
Accounts not clear where the attacks happened, the BE-GE border area a possibility. Pilot Lt Herring had put the B-17 on automatic and in a slight descent. Hence the good condition after the crash landing. (Pilot is still among us, btw)).
Regards,
Leendert

[Buckeye30]

From the KRACKER archives, the LW claims for March 4. A few B-17s.

Nick

http://www.aircrewremembered.com/Luf.../?q=1944-03-04