On the 7/8th July 1944 my Uncle was part of a Lancaster force bombing the V weapon storage site at St. Leu D'Esserent just North of Paris. His Lancaster was shot down by a German Night Fighter at approx 01:30 on the 8th July. The Lancaster crashed at the Brunel farm to the South East of Villers-en-Arthies. 6 of the crew died and are buried in Omerville Communial cemetery approx 7km North West of the crash site. There was one survivor. I would be interested in any comments regarding German Nacht Jager activity especially any "claims" by a pilot around the time of the attack. Can any one help??
Grenadier, I don't know, but welcome to the boards, and we thank you for your uncle's service and sacrifice for Crown and Country.
Hi Grenadier, Welcome to the boards. I am sure someone will be able to steer you to the operation reports. Good luck with your quest.
Grenaider give me about a week and I can give you some info, possibly even as fast as the morrow if I can get a few hours in my office alone. My PC is giving me some headaches the last 6 months.......I have the Nachtjäger claims listing stright from the BA/MA Freiburg Archiv with also some variations included. I'll be back soon.......... greetings Erich ~
Gentlemen - thanks for your replies. Erich - A little more information - "Following an attack by a German Nightfighter (possibly a Messerschmitt 109??) the Lancaster crashed just to the South East of Villersen-Arthies, which is approx 40 kms North West of Paris. The aircraft crashed on the Ferme Brunel (Brunel farm) in the hamlet of Drocourt. Those that died are buried in Omerville Communial cemetery approx 7Kms from the crash site" The survivor's story indicates that the "attacking aircraft" was a Bf 109 however I thought that by this stage of the war all German night fighters were "2 engined aircraft". On this raid 29 of the 208 Lancasters (plus 2 Mosquitos) were lost so there may be quite a few "claims" on file somewhere. Any info regarding possible Unit, pilot, type of aircraft used would be appreciated Grenadier
in the summer of 1944 1./NJGr 10 was involved but around Berlin area with Fw 190A-8's and Bf 109G-6's. I./NJG 11 came involved with Bf 109G-6's by end of August 44. JG 300 pretty much was going over to day time defence except for 109 equipped 10.(N)/JG 300 but this staffel was invovled with chasing down RAF Moskitos near Berlin. JG 301 could be the culrpit though flying 109G-6's July 7/8 1944 NJG 2 claimed 12 RAF heavies, 11 of them were Lancasters. NJG 4 3 Lancasters I./NJG 5 claimed 8 Lancasters I./NJGr 10 claimed 1 Moskito and it is confirmed ! I./JG 301 claimed 17 Lancasters but 13 of these are not confirmed..... 2 of the confirmed, places unknown. 1 Lanc shot down near Amiens, 1 Lanc shot down in the area of Le Treport. Both of these kills were shot down at 01.36 and 01.48 by Leutnant Prenzel flying a Bf 109G-6 of 1st staffel. E ~
