B-17 crash 20.10.1943 at De Bilt Holland

[Co de Swart]

Dear anybody who can help,
A B-17F,96BG/413BS was shot down that day at appro.14.30. I was a witness of part of the fight and on the place of crash. Sayings in De Bilt up till today are that a Luftwaffepilot was decorated near on the spot of crash the same afternoon or evening.
If so, the pilot should have been stationed at a nearby airfield
From Germany I learned, that a O.Feldwebel Ruffler 4/JG3 scored that day on a B-17 at approx. 14.45, taking off from Schiphol, flying on to Venlo and starting back for Schiphol in the late afternoon. There was no mention of place of crash in this battlereport. Regarding the distance Mr Ruffler could n't personally have been in De Bilt, (Hotel Nas ?) that same afternoon.
Anyone who can help me clearing this question ?
Thanks i.a.
Co de Swart, Zeist, Holland
E-mail: co.swartde@12move.nl

[This message has been edited by Richard T Eger (edited 23 April 2001).]

[Richard T Eger]

Here is a copy of an earlier request Co de Swart made regarding this incident:

Co de Swart
Member
posted 17 April 2001 15:36

On the 20th of Oct 1943 I witnessed the crash of a B-17 in De Bilt, Holland in the Soesterberg area.

Data: B-17 was returning from a raid on Dueren, damaged already, 5 bailed out, crew-names of members, died in
the crash, are known.

It is said, that the Luftwaffe fighter that finally downed the B-17 came from Soesterberg Airfield and it's pilot was decorated nearly at the place of crash, in the then Hotel Nas.

So the following questions:

--Which Gruppe, Geschwader, staffel, was stationed at Fliegerhorst Soesterberg at the time, Oct 1943?

--Are there somewhere old battle reports of their fights available who can lead me to the specific Pilot's name ?

Thanks for any help from anyone who can help me finding the answers

E-mail: Co.swartde@12move.nl