Bf 109 G crash landed at Crémont Ardennes, late 1944

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Hi there Gang,

Whilst browsing for period pictures, I found an unfortunately low-res of a crash-landed Bf 109 G-6 or G-14, said to have done so at Crémont, in the Ardennes, in late 1944.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2809206...in/photostream

No unit or tactical signs can be seen. I would be very grateful for date and, if possible, unit and W.Nr.

Thanks in advance
Marc

[John Beaman]

Marc-Andre, the only loss I have specifically for that location is on in Oct. '43. In late December '44 there are a number of losses to the east of that location. Do you have any more information, like a date?

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Hi John,

Unfortunately none; this picture is used for illustrating the wider issue of all crashed planes in the Argonne during WWII by this website:

http://www.lunion.presse.fr/article/...ces-en-argonne

Thanks for your pointer
Marc

[Horst Weber]

Good evening Marc-Andre !

The scene looks looks like in the early stage of the Ardennes-Campaign. The dates could be December 17th or 19th 1944, maybe December 23rd is possible. The aircraft looks all-in-all intact and no parts looted for souvenier and other purposes, which you often see in fotos, taken in January/February 1945 and later in the Ardennes by allied troops and civilians.

Best wishes !

Horst Weber

[Nordpol54]

Grüezi woll Marc,

may be one of the two following losses i've found fits Your request:

23.12.1944, Bf 109 G-14/AS, 8./II./JG 27, blue 5, W.-Nr. 785847, Uffz. Günther Pache +, Ardennes area

23.12.1944, Bf 109 G-14/AS, Stab II./JG 11, black <2, W.-Nr. 783923, Lt. Josef Heyer +, Ardennes area

Possibly other members have more losses in additional.

Best Wishes
Norbert

P.S.: Although a/c on the photograph doesn't look as had been pancaked with lethal end for the pilot... (?)

[Nick Beale]

It's a small photo but that doesn't look like an AS cowling to me. Hasn't it got the MG 131 bulges?

There were plenty of fighter-bomber missions being flown over Allied lines in France during autumn 1944 (e.g. by JG 53) so it may not be a wreck from the main Ardennes offensive.

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Hallo Horst und Norbert!

Many thanks for your inputs! The plane really looks fresh from the factory and I can't make out any tactical sign...
My best bet would be a Bf 109 G-14; the wavy camouflage line along the wing leading edges points to an Mtt Regensburg built machine in the 780'000 - 783'000 W.Nr range.

Please beware: the plane crash landed in the Argonne area, not in the Ardennes as stated - wrongly - in the title.
As for the pilot being killed, look at the Erlahaube: totally smashed. Maybe the pilot was beaten to death by locals?

Thanks again
Marc