Ofw. Franz Meindl Bf109G-14 WNr.784765 'blaue 11' of 8./JG11

[Oberst]

Hello,
Firstly was this an G-14/AS machine? Secondly, was he lost to fighters or flak/AAA?, and last, are there any known photo's of His Bf109G-14? thanks in advance!

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Oberst

Prein has the following loss list information for this pilot:

1 January 1945: Oberfeldwebel Franz Meindl of 8./JG 11 missing in Bf 109 G-14/AS "Blue 11" (W.Nr. 784 765) due to unknown causes in the Maastricht area, 100%

There is some suggestion in the Bodenplatte book by Manrho and Pütz that he may have been shot down by fighters of the 352nd FG, USAAF but nothing is definitive as his remains have not been found as of yet. I have not seen any photographs of his last fighter but one rather poor quality color profile which is obviously inaccurate as it depicts the aircraft as a Bf 109 G-14 and not as a Bf 109 G-14/AS. I hope that this helps.

Horrido!

Leo

[Oberst]

I was looking through Operation Bodenplatte: The Luftwaffe's Last Hope and it mentions that Oberfeldwebel Franz Meindl was most likely the pilot dogfighting with four P-51's at the same time near Asch (Y-29 airbase). Interesting, thanks for the information.

[Oberst]

I found the 'poor quality' colour profile that was mentioned earlier.