Any Me-262 Historians help me with this 'shoot-down' account please?

[Mysticpuma]

Rather than a complete re-post, can I direct you to this previous post of mine:

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...220#post116220

Thanks, MP

[Tbag]

Hey MP, you might want to try here:

http://www.lwag.org/forums/index.php

[Mysticpuma]

Thanks Tbag, looks like the 262 was "4/18/1945 JV44 ME262A-1A Obst. Johannes Steinhoff crashed on take-off Riem"

From the account of the Wingman on the 325th, this may be a slightly mis-leading version of the events. However, after all this time, I do know there was Gun-camera footage of the event as it was used to confirm the victory, so what do you do!?

Cheers, MP

[PeterPanPan]

Have you tried asking the folks at http://352ndfg.com/smf/index.php?

PPanPan

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by Mysticpuma

Thanks Tbag, looks like the 262 was "4/18/1945 JV44 ME262A-1A Obst. Johannes Steinhoff crashed on take-off Riem"

Hi MP.
I have the Foreman and Harvey Me262 combat diary from Air research publications, which has been researched from both the allied and german perspectives.
No 262 activity at all is reported for 13th April in this source.
Re 18th April,There is a full description of the Steinhoff incident at Riem. It's described as an engine flame-out on takeoff, followed by an explosion. Steinhof did not bail out of his aircraft. All witnesses were stunned to see Steinhoff survive the crash albeit with terrible burns.
It also describes the 357th FG hitting several 262's near Prague, and the 339th reported one damaged 262 near Tabor.
The 325th FG Ralph Johnson's encounter at Riem is described, with no mention of a wingman, and the 262 pilot bailed out.
There is also a description of an encounter by 162nd recon Mustangs near Nurenburg.
There is no mention of a Ralph Taylor being credited with downing a 262 on the 19th in this publication, although several Mustang pilots from 357th and Thunderbolt pilots from 404th were.
You may already have this info of course, but if not let me know and I could post the full day's events according to this source.
Cheers.

[dflion]

MP,
Have just seen your post. I have referred to Robert Forsyth's 'Jagdverband 44' Squadron of Experten pp.64-70 (published by Osprey)

1. 10/11 Apr 45 - JG7 ordered to vacate Berlin Airfields and transfer south to Bavaria.
2. 16 Apr 45 -14 Me262's led by Adolf Galland intercept Marauders from the 322nd BG - 2 bombers lost, no jets.
3. 16 Apr 45 (pm) - 5 Me262's attacked P-38's from US 15th dive bombing a bridge at Walchensee - no losses, either side
4. 17th Apr 45 -This is the action you are referring to. Galland led a formation of 7 Me262's to attack bombers near Nuremburg. 'White 12' was forced back to Riem with undercarriage problems. 'White 10' was damaged by the Thunderbolt escort and made it back to Riem. In this action one enemy aircraft was shot down with another probable. JV44 reported the loss of 1 jet, athough the identity of the pilot and aircraft are unknown?
5. 18th Apr 45 - Steinhoff's crash on take-off.

Refer to my 'Jagdverband 44 - the Bats out of Hell' campaign (missions 13, 14 and 15) found on Mission4Today. The above actions are simulated in these missions.

DFLion