Gun Cam Pics –Some Great -Incl Me-262 as Target!

[Rob Romero]

http://www.web-birds.com/

Then Check Under:
8th AF
55FG
Scroll down to the ‘Gun Camera Footage’ LINK JUST BEFORE THUMBNAILS.

I’m particularly interested in who some of the Air-Combat Victims were –can any of these be pinned down?

Thanks,

Rob Romero

[David E. Brown]

Hi Rob,

Here is some information on the respective Me 262, with information from the following sources:

Hess, W.N., 1996: German Jets Versus the U.S. Army Air Force – Battle For The Skies Over Europe. Specialty Press, North Branch, 176p.

O’Connell, D., 2005: Messerschmitt Me 262 – The Production Log 1941-1945, Classic / Ian Allan, Hersham, 224p.

Cheers,

David



“Maj. Edward Giller 343rd Squadron April 9th 1945 - Attacking a Me-262” (9 April 1945)

The identity of this aircraft is unknown as there are no matches for this claim with available German unit losses. It could perhaps been an aircraft being transferred to airfields in the Munich area by Fl.U.G. 1. If it crash-landed at Munich as claimed, it was likely intended for JV 44. Given the circumstances during the last weeks of the war, its loss could well have not been officially recorded so that the proper documentation was not created. If so, perhaps the aircraft is a candidate:

Me 262 A-1a, -1113547: Ferried in a 330 km.25 minute flight by Olt. König from Leipheim to Erding (near Munich) on 9 April 1945. 09:00-09:25. Possibly W.Nr. 113347?


“Capt. F.E. Birtciel 343rd Squadron - Me-262”

No information on date and location of the event. Possibly an encounter with no claim.


“Lt. W. Konantz 338th Squadron - a Me-109 and Me-262” (13 January 1945)

Me 262 A-2a, WNr.110601, 9K+EH' or 9K+FH., 1./KG 51: Call sign NU+YY: The first flight of this A-1a was by Messerschmitt test pilot Hptm Toni Lotter at Neuburg, taking off for 17 minutes at 13:55 on 31 December 1944. This was followed the next day, 1 January 1945 by a flight at 13:58-14:07, and later the same day by Flugkapitän Helmut Kaden 16:53-17:05 for a Nachflug, (approval of work) flight. Uffz. Alfred Färber of 1./KG 51, KIA on 13 January 1945, shot down after taking off at 13:30 hours by Lt. Walter J. Konantz in a P-51D of the 338th FS, 55th FG west of Giebelstadt airfield. The A-2a caught fire near the port engine, and crashed in a diving turn half a mile from the airfield, where it exploded. '9K+EH' or '9K+FH'. Lt. Konantz confirmed that it was completely destroyed. Aircraft also reported as being 30% damaged while landing at Mändelfeld-Neuburg on 15 February 1945 while serving with 8./KG(J) 54, but it is most likely confused with 111601.


“Lt. John W. Cunnick 338th Squadron - Me-262 claim”(22 March 1945)

Me 262 A-1a, WNr.110485, White 12, Call sign NS+BM, 7./III./EJG 2: Used at Lechfeld 7 and 8 March 1945, for windscreen heater tests. Fj.Ofw. Helmut Recker of 10./EJG 2 flew this jet against P-51’s in the Lechfeld area on 16 March 1945, but had all his weapons jam. Recker was KIA in this aircraft at 12:30 hours on 22 March 1945 during combat with a P‑51D flown by 2nd Lt. John W. Cunnick of the 38th FS, 55th FG. The A-1a crashed near the south perimeter of Lechfeld airfield. Lt. Cunnick fired 1,080 rounds until he was able to bring his fire directly into the cockpit, and the 'well camouflaged' aircraft then dove straight into the ground and exploded on impact. Its destruction was confirmed by Captain Donald M. Cummings.

Note: The guncam photo clearly shows the white ‘12’ on the nose and the narrow yellow III./EJG 2 fuselage band.

[Erich]

I have stills from Birtciel and yes his 262 was popped and credit given with a cross on his canopy in spring of 45, date that he gave me from several e-mails over the years indicates : March 22, 1945. a super guy along with Ed Giller who sent me a copy of his mission reprot on his 262 downing in April of 45

[David E. Brown]

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the information.

I found Birtciel on the 55th FG website - www.55th.org and it indicates that regarding the Me 262 he has a single shared claim (air) and a damaged (air) regarding the Me 262:

25 February 1945 (.5) Me-262 destroyed (air)Geibelstadt
22 March 1945 Me-262 damaged (air) Schwabisch-Hall

I could not match the Schwabisch-Hall encounter with any Luftwaffe records that might identify the aircraft and pilot. Assuming that the guncam images are from his shared claim, then this took place on February 25, not March 22. If so, the aircraft might be this one:

Me 262 A-1a, WNr.110947, 'B3+DP', 6./KG(J) 54: Fw. Heinz Clausner was KIA on 25 February 1945 while on a training flight from Kitzingen, shot down by a P-51 possibly of the 55th FG, southeast of Giebelstadt at Giebelstadthofen. 'B3+DP'. (W.Nr. originally given as 111641, of 5./KG(J) 54 but corrected in an amendment dated 25 March 1945).

I could not match the other half of the 25 February event shared claim with any other 55th FG pilots. Based on narratives in Hess’ book (p.78), Birtciel appears to have finished off an Me 262 just prior to it crashing and exploding (no bail-out or chute) that was initially attacked and later claimed by Lt. John F. O’Neil. They note that Birtciel did not make a claim and it would appear that the claim was later determined to be shared.

Cheers,

David

[Erich]

Greetings David !

I have the missions report filed in his own words by Frank B. so will hunt it down to check the 1945 date for the thread. It well may have been the February encounter...... the gun stills show one engine completely falling apart under his .50's; debris flying off in all directions

E