My relative's B-17 was shot down over X on this date. Who shot him down? - 2

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Marc Hamel
June 25th, Me-109 over P-51, Soissons- Epernay
Thu Apr 19 01:33:00 2001


Hi Guys,

My friend William 'Bill' Drisko was downed by an Me-109 that bounced him and blew his wing off on June 25th over Soissons-Epernay. We know the location as he got out safely and evaded. Does anyone know who the German pilot was? Bill was flying P-51B serial number 43-6902 code HO-A of the 487th FS, 352nd FG. Please e-mail if you have any information. Many thanks, Marc Hamel

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Franek Grabowski
June 25th, Me-109 over P-51, Soissons- Epernay
Thu Apr 19 17:17:57 2001


Do you know what was the time of loss?
At 8.05 Lt. Fu(e)reder, II/JG11, claimed P-51 at SG 8-9 (Chaulny); Uffz. Faltin of same unit claimed one on unspecified time and location.
At 8.07 Lt. Fritz, I/JG3, claimed P-51 at SG (Chauty).
Franek

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

James Brookman
Do you know the year?
Thu Apr 19 12:39:59 2001

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Joss Leclercq
June the 24th 1944
Thu Apr 19 17:27:29 2001


Quoting from "The mighty Eighth Combat Chronology Heavy Bomber and Fighter Activities 1942-1945, compiled by Paul M. ANDREWS and William H. ADAMS", Flight Officer William W. DRISCO failed to return on June the 24th 1944, and crashed after being shot down by German Fighters. He evaded capture. MACR is 6248.Group, Squadron and plane ID as given by fellow frenchman Marc Hamel.
BTW, I know of 2 B-24s that came down in Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France. Shot down by FLAK.
Anybody could have details about them
Cheers
Joss

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

James Brookman
I agree with Mr. Grabowski
Thu Apr 19 17:39:23 2001

I found the same thing as Franek. The only P-51 claims for that day were:

Lt. Füreder of 5./JG 11 shot down a P-51 over Ost S/SG-8/9 at 8:05

Uffz. Faltin of 5./JG 11 shot down a P-51 over Ost S/SG-8/9 at 8:06

Lt. Hans Fritz of 3./JG 3 shot down a P-51 over SG Chauny at 8:07

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Anonymous
Re: June the 24th 1944
Fri Apr 20 01:11:45 2001


Hello Joss,

Bill Drisko, who I am writing about, went down on the 25th of June 1944 from his own records and the records of the 352nd FG Association. I think someone in the book you were looking at missed the date by one day. I am trying right now to find the time the action occurred to see if it corresponds with any of these possibilities. By the way, I am from the US, but my great-grandfather was from France, and my grandfather came in by way of Canada. Thank you for your help, and I will get back with you all.

Best wishes, Marc Hamel, 352nd FG Association

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Joss Leclercq
just a quote from a book, to help
Fri Apr 20 11:35:12 2001


This was just a quote from the book, which I know contains tens of errors. My copy has tens of corrections on it, usually locations, additions. Error in dates are rare, but I've found a few by myself.
Sorry if I mistook you for a frenchman, but your name really sounded french, and you clearly explain why, and the geographical location made me believe you were living in the Soissons area.
I was in touch with "Punchy" POWELL of the "Bluenosers". I wrote to another, Bill WILSON, who crashed in my area in july 1944, but Bill never replied my letter. So sad...
If I can help, I'll but Soissons is out of my usual range of research, which is only Nord-Pas-de-Calais region in northern France

Good luck for your research work.

All the best

Joss

[Richard T Eger]

For a quite helpful discussion in regard to researching this subject, the reader is referred to the topic "AFHRA & NARA Missing Air Crew Reports - 6" on the "Archives in the USA" forum.

Regards,
Richard