Oblt. Dortenmann's 32nd victory

I joined this forum as it looked the best place to post the following.

I have come across information that points to Oblt. Dortenmann's 32nd victory not being a British Auster, but an American Piper L-4H.

My main interest lies outside the Luftwaffe and their pilots but I'm aware that the information I've come across may be of interest to the members on this site.

It may be of use for those that know who to contact to have the records corrected, if they deem the information reliable.

I own a Piper L-4H artillery spotting aircraft and hence my interest in Liaison types.And have recently supplied material for author, Ken Wakefield with his latest book, 'The Other Ninth Airforce'.

At the same time I happen to be reading 'Green Hearts Dora 9' by Axel Urbanke.
One story in this book grabbed my attention-

".......On the 31/3/45 Oblt Dortenmann was on a mission order, bombing on the Lüdinghausen bridgehead. Flying in haze beneath a solid layer of cloud at 2000m, the formation reached the American 9th Army crossing point near Lüdinghausen. At 14:45 whilst en route to the target Dortenmann, who was leading JG26 formation,attacked an Auster in grid square JQ8, in Drensteinfurt area. While taking evasive action the allied pilot crashed into a line of trees without a shot being fired. ( JG diary report )

Ken Wakefield holds the diaries and HQ NUSA Air Journals from LT Col Leich, who was in charge of the 125th liaison squadron and the 50th MR&R, both attached to the 9th Army. From these papers which make up the basis of his new book-

".....2nd Armd Div Arty Air Officer, Lt Kistler, reported that Lt Emerick, pilot, and Capt Mahon, observer, were forced down on the afternoon of March 31 when six FW190s jumped them. The enemy aircraft came out of cloud and split up into three elements of two and attacked in three directions. Lt Kistler went down to ground level in an attempt to evade the enemy aircraft, but hooked his wing on a hedgerow and wrecked his L-4 49*W (44-80116). Personnel uninjured except for being a bit stiff...... The aircraft subsequently rebuilt and returned to service.

Since Dortenmann used the generic term 'Auster' for all artillery spotting aircraft, this is how it was historically recorded. In fact it is more likely to have been this Piper L-4.

I suppose it's like recording a Spitfire instead of a Mustang

Anyhow, I hope this may be of use to someone.

Cheers,
Richard