14 July 1944 Herbert Ihlefeld claims Mustang

[neil c]

My Dad was flying a Mustang 14 July 1944 south of Caan France at 1900-1930 hrs. with another Mustang when they were attacked by Bf 109 and Fw 190 a/c. I recently learned that my Dad was shot down by Oberstleutnant Herbert Ihlefeld at 1917 hrs that day. I am looking for some documentation of this, possibly with his mention or JG 1 mention. My Dad evaded capture for 6 weeks with the help of the Maquis.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Around this time and date, JG 1 claimed 3 P-51 and 2 Spitfires, while I./JG 5 claimed 2 Spitfire around Caen.
Another JG 1 claim for the day has no time and may be for this evening battle or not.

Here are the German claims:
14.07.44 Hptm. Alfred Grislawski: 127 8./JG 1 Mustang £ AU at 400 m. [Raum Falaise] 19.17 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: Nr.14
14.07.44 Obstlt. Herbert Ihlefeld: 116 Stab/JG 1 Mustang £ UU-1 at 1.200 m. [südlich Caen] 19.17 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: ASM
14.07.44 Uffz. Jakob Vogel: 2 8./JG 1 P-51 £ - 19.17 Reference: JG/11 Lists f.1212
14.07.44 Obstlt. Herbert Ihlefeld: 117 Stab/JG 1 Spitfire £ UU-1 at 1.000 m. [südlich Caen] 19.19 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: ASM
14.07.44 Fw. Kutzera: 4 9./JG 1 Spitfire £ UU at 2.500 m. [Raum Caen] 19.30 Film C. 2027/II VNE: ASM
14.07.44 Gefr. Berger 2./JG 5 Spitfire £ 15 West S/TT-89 at 500 m. 19.32 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: ASM
14.07.44 Uffz. Schröder 2./JG 5 Spitfire £ 15 West S/TU-8: 2.000 m. [N. Caen] 19.34 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: Nr.fo.
14.07.44 Ofw. Leo-Lothar Barann: 7 7./JG 1 Spitfire £ UU-5: at 2.500 m. [südlich Caen] - Reference: JG/11 Lists f.1212

So, Ihlefeld is definetly a possibility but you can't be sure. Spitfire and Mustangs may be taken for the other, and some claims have no place or time so...

[Stephane Muret]

According to J.B. Frappé's book "La Luftwaffe face au débarquement allié", p.96, 6 planes from I./JG1 and II./JG1 met at about 9hPM about 6 P51 (and 6 P47). German fighters claimed for one air victory (for Fw Bindseil (6.staffel) (west of Isigny) but lost Uffz Stromeyer (I./JG1).

But on a general listing (end of the book) it is written that the following pilots claimed for one kill against Mustang on july 14 :

19 h 17 PM Obslt Ihlefeld claimed for one Mustang near Caen
19 h 19 PM Obslt Ihlefeld claimed for one spitfire near Caen
19 h 17 PM Hpt Grislawski (III.JG1) claimed for one Mustang near Falaise
??????????? Uffz Vogel (III.JG1) claimed for one Mustang ?

Good luck.
Stéphane Muret

[kaki3152]

It seems the Mustang victory was either due to Oblt. Grislawski or Obst Ihlefeld. The Mustangs belonged to the 67th Recon. group and was one of a pair:" Lt. Steve Canner and Cpt Rusten were on the way back from a route reconnaissance of the Mortagne area when they were jumped from above by over 50 FW-190s. The section immediately took evasive action in an attempt to lose the 190s,but Lt. Canner's P-51 was hit repeatedly by 20 mm and went down."

[John Beaman]

The Stab Flight was not flying Fw 190s but 109s. Griswalski's claim location is good distance away from Caen.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

It seems to me that all evening victories were scored by Bf 109 pilots, so the identification of FW 190 by the surviving American pilot may be wrong. Nothing surprising when you have a escape 50 enemy planes chasing you...