Allan, The date of the 24th July comes from American pickup of German reports issued after Rommel's death in November/December 1944. To be fair to the Americans, they appear to have checked for candidates amongst their pilots based on what they believed at the time was the correct date for the attack. Regards, Pat
Thanks Pat Nice press cutting, and who can blame them for claiming such an exalted person. Whoever did it removed a key person from the battlefield at an important time, fortunately for the Allie's. Cheers Allan
Hey Guys, Yes, I wouldn't rely on the date so much, news back then took time, and was often wrong. The newspaper clipping posted from December of that year has him flying P-47's. Miller's squadron had transitioned to P-51's in April of 44. Which I think led to confusion. PW 2800 sounds a lot different than a RR Merlin. The German's probably mistook the unfamiliar P-51 for a Spitfire from the sound and the similar frontal profile. And I agree, doesn't matter who got him, as much as taking him out of the fight, and unable to lead a defence. From Wikipedia: "The 352nd Fighter Group was a unit of the Eighth Air Force that was located in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.[1] [2][3] The unit served as bomber escort, counter-air patrols, and attacking ground targets. It initially flew P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft before converting to P-51 Mustang in April 1944." "The 352nd Fighter Group participated in the invasion of Normandy in June 1944 with missions to strafing the beaches and other positions and dive-bomb enemy communications. In July 1944, the group supported the allied breakthrough in the Battle of Saint-Lô and in September 1944 supported Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands." Steve
Who got Rommel - the gift that keeps on giving! Whoever got him, of whatever nationality, did us all a favour, that's for sure.
Hi All, Has anyone been able to tie the Miller footage to 'just south of Namur, Belgium (VJ9509)? I have been trying to obtain aerial cover of the area from the 1940s/50s but have so far failed. Thanks, Pat
Hello there In related news... This passed me by last year but the table upon which the wounded Rommel was treated was "discovered" in an old folks' home in Livarot Livarot : la table du maréchal Rommel fait des émules