Rudolf Altendorf – 7 2./NJG3 Information saught N6046 Short Stirling 8th Sept 1941

All,

I was lucky enough through extensive research to visit the crash site of my grandfathers 7 Squadron Short Stirling Bomber in Recklinghausen Germany. I am in possession of wrecked parts from the aircraft which was an amazing penultimate rounding off of all of my research over the years.

However it does not stop there. My grandfathers Stirling N6046 (Les Davenport W/OP AG) took off from Oakington at 20:01pm on the 7th September 1941 to bomb Berlin along with 197 bombers, the largest attack on Berlin in the war at the time.

Now the nightfighter pilot attacked and damaged my Grandfathers Stirling BUT claimed it only as probable then on return home it was claimed by two flack units in Polsum west of Marl close to Recklinghausen. Details below:

Lt Rudolf Altendorf: 7 2./NJG3 pr Viermont N Berlin (Sector C and D): 1400 M attacked Stirling at 00:32 prob.
Coned by Flakscheinwerfer – ABT in Sector C and D

4. Flak Division: 1./Res Flak Abt 403 and 2 & 3./Res Flak Abt 366 claimed the Stirling at Polsum Germany east of Marl and 14 miles away from where the Stirling crash site is.

Can anyone provide details of the German Pilot as he survived the war, I would like to trace his family, if he had any!

In addition any details on the flak units and personel, how can I track flak personel families down?

Also the terminology used such as ABT meaning PR Viermont N Berlin (sector C and D), where did this attack take place?

I was interested to see thar he attacked the stirling at 1400 metres up!!! My grandfather said they flew low attacking ground targets (searchlights etc), but that is low!

Any assistance will be greatly received.

Regards

Ian Davenport