Looking to ID ME-109 Downed 12/8/44 by 9AF P-47

[pdame141]

My great uncle was a P-47 pilot with the 397 FS/368 FG (9th AF). He recorded a victory over an ME-109 on 12/8/44 near the Cologne-Erft Canal. His after action report lists the fight as happening ten miles west of Cologne around 1230 hrs during a fighter sweep in the area of Zulpich, Cologne, and Bonn. The ME-109 pilot bailed out and his chute opened, but my great uncle's report indicates he didn't move after hitting the ground. My great uncle also claimed an FW-190 damaged in the fight. Any assistance identifying the Luftwaffe unit(s) in the fight or the pilot of the ME-109 would be greatly appreciated.

[Horst Weber]

Good evening !

If we reaqd the date as December 12th, 1944, your great grant uncle met at this time west of Cologne I./JG 2, probably II./JG 2 and (not very possible) III./ JG 4. His Squadron comrade Vickerman (MACR # 10871) was shot down at the same time by an FW 190 near Lechenich and crashed at the village of Dirmertzheim (J-report # 2671). This is about 18 km Southwest of Cologne.

About the German pilot in question, I'm sure, out experts of "Namentliche Verlustmeldungen" can trace to this German pilot, who fell victim to you great grand uncle.

Hope, this helps !

Horst Weber

[John Manrho]

The date is December 8th 1944. Should be III./JG 4 in case of the 109.

[Matti Salonen]

Maybe these:

1944-12-08, 11./JG 4, Bf 109 G-10, 490142, 14 gelbe, Bei Rippendorf, 22 km westlich Köln, Luftkampf. Bruch 100 %. (NVM: Bf 109 G-14)
Flugzeugführer Fhr Nolte, Helmut, +

1944-12-08, 2./JG 2, Fw 190 A-8, 738158, Lechenich, 20 km östlich Düren, Luftkampf mit 2 P-47. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer Uffz Wolf, Karl, +

Matti

[Horst Weber]

Originally Posted by John Manrho

The date is December 8th 1944. Should be III./JG 4 in case of the 109.

John, sorry, I meant December 8th, 1944. My mistake !!.

Horst Weber

[pdame141]

Horst, John and Matti:

Thank you for you replies! The action on 12/8 was indeed the one in which Vickerman was lost although I believe he checked in with his flight leader after getting separated during the main action. I have my great uncle's report (and his wingman's) from 397th FS records that I can transcribe and post if anyone is interested.

I had a couple of follow-up questions:

1) were either or both Fhr Nolte and Uffz Wolf casualties?
2) does "Bruch 100%" indicate a complete loss of the aircraft?
3) was it usual for two JGs to get involved in an action like this?
4) does Fhr stand for Fahnrich as in Officer Cadet?

Thanks again for taking time to reply

Paul Dame

[Matti Salonen]

Both were killed. Bruch 100 % is completely destroyed. Fhr is Fähnrich.

Matti

[Karsten]

Hi,

sorry there is no Rippendorf near Köln. It could be 50189 Heppendorf, this village is 22 km west of Köln.

Rüdiger

[Matti Salonen]

Rüdiger, thaks for correction.

Matti

[pdame141]

Thanks, Rudiger. I was looking on Google Earth and couldn't find a town called Rippendorf. Heppendorf makes much more sense based on the narrative of the fight (bombing at Zulpich, controller directs north toward bogies, confused fight in and out of clouds that appears to have drifted west).

For any who are interested, below is my transcription of my Great Uncle's after action report from the unit chronology microfilm. I got a full copy of the war diary for the 397th FS from the good folks at the AFHRA some years ago.


COMBAT REPORT *** FIRST LIEUTENANT EDWARD W. DAME *** ASN O-745312

A. Type of Action : Combat
B. Date : December 8, 1944
C. Unit : 397th Fighter Squadron, 368th Fighter Group
D. Time of Attack : 1230
E. Place of Attack : About 10 miles west of Cologne
F. Weather : Stratus Clouds at 1,500’ ; 8/10 coverage; visibility unlimited
G. Type of Target : About 30 to 40 ME 109’s and FW 190’s
H. Claim : 1 ME 109 Destroyed and 1 FW 190 damaged – pilot bailed out of
of destroyed ME 109.

I. Account of Action:

I, 1st Lt. Edward W. Dame, ASNO-745312, was leading Tropic Blue Flight on a 584 Radar Controlled Blind Bombing and Fighter Sweep Mission on 8 December 1944. The bombing target was Zulpich, at F231332. After the bombing had been completed, we flew on a fighter sweep in the area of Zulpich, Cologne, and Bonn. As we set out on the sweep, the controller informed Tropic Leader that there were bogies to the north of our formation. At almost the same moment, Tropic Leader spotted a gaggle on the deck and started after them. As he got within range, he called them in as ME 109’s. While Tropic Leader dove to the attack, Blue Flight stayed above the overcast and acted as top cover. The fight was below the overcast and could not be located at once. Lt. Olden, leader of Yellow Flight, started down to attack an ME 109, and I went down to give closer cover. I saw Lt. Olden getting strikes all over the E/A. Blue Flight then made a steep climbing turn to the left to cut off an ME 109 on the tail of a P-47. The E/A turned into me and fired head on in a dive of about 10 degrees and at an angle of 45 degrees. The E/A scored a hit on my left wing. I then pulled up into an Immelman and dove on the same E/A. I fired several short bursts, but missed. After a few more maneuvers, I managed to fire a good burst on the E/A from about 150 yards. I saw strikes on the wing roots, engine, and cockpit. Pieces flew off, white and black smoke poured out and the plane burst into flames. The E/A went into a long glide, and the pilot bailed out at about 500’. The E/A rolled over and went in. The pilot’s parachute opened, but Jerry did not move after hitting the ground. Closer inspection could not be made because of the presence of intense light flak at this place.

I immediately pulled up from this attack, and I saw an FW 190 coming in from about 1:00 o’clock. I pulled in harder, completed a loop, and ended up out of range, but on the tail of the E/A. After a two minute chase, I managed to close and get in a ten round burst just as the E/A entered a cloud. When the E/A came out on the other side, it was smoking a great deal, and I saw something white come out of the plane. The E/A rolled over again and dove into a cloud, and I gave up the chase.

I claim one ME 109 destroyed and one FW 190 damage.

Edward W. Dame
1st Lt, Air Corps
Pilot, 397th Ftr Sqn.

1. Combat film exists
2. Combat film was forwarded to Headquarters IX TAC on 9 December 1944