RAF raid on Ulm 17 Dec 1944

[ernest]

I have a friend in UK who flew as a rear gunner with 626 sqdn during the war and who was on the RAF raid to Ulm 17 Dec 1944. His aircraft Lancaster LM530 UM-L2 was attacked by night fighter(s?) over the target and on departing the area around 1940h.
I have the following reference from German records:
JaFüI. Jagdkorps/Lfl. Reich:
17.12.44 Uffz. Ludwig 3/NJG 6 Lancaster CA-4 at 4000m 1940h Film C 2027/II
Supplemental claims:
17.12.44 Uffz. Ludwig 3/NJG 6 Lancaster Ausflug E Ulm 1940h Ref Kock NJG6
Assuming this is a "kill" claim for LM 530 then it is not correct because LM 530 made it home. The point of the above is that my friend would like to meet any surviving Luftwaffe crew members who took part in the action - could somebody give me any tips how to proceed further? Many thanks in advance for any help ERNEST

[Icare9]

Ernest, firstly these Abschuss reports are attacks, not necessarily "kills" each time. An attack could be made and the aircraft corkscrew away whilst the gunners could force the night fighter to alter course and lose sight of what happened. With so many aircraft in the main force stream not all combats were accurately recorded, or could have been another aircraft elsewhere. Many were successful attacks, but not all. You only have to see the combat reports where 4 engined bomber is the best description, the Lanc and Halifax were similar from many angles and at night with just a few seconds, easy not to know which aircraft attacked which bomber.
I hope you get some responses and that you are able to get in contact.

[Maximowitz]

Well, he won't be getting in touch with Ludwig that's for sure, unless he holds a seance. He was shot down by American AA fire 23-24.4.45 according to Dr Theo Boiten in "Nachtjagd Diaries Vol II."