I just read an account on the Internet–which makes me immediately suspicious–claiming that the last dogfight of WWII in Europe was between a Fieseler Storch and a Piper L4. The Americans reportedly fired at the Storch, which was below them, with their service revolvers. While trying to evade, the Storch dragged a wingtip and crashed, the Americans landing alongside and taking the uninjured Germans prisoners.
Has anybody else heard this tale? Better yet, do they have some kind of verification of it?
By: Smith - 11th July 2013 at 11:36
Well, that’s good enough for me. Thanks, Mike.
There are other forums I go to to find out what the gossip is, but I come to this one when I need facts.
What facts? The statement by Historic Aircraft Collection that “The Fieseler Storch was the last dogfight victim of the western front in the Second World War to be shot down by an American aircraft.
I don’t that necessarily proves the point one way or the other.
By: Mike J - 11th July 2013 at 11:28
The Storch in question is being modified and fitted with an Argus engine
….hence my comment “when they operated the round-engined Storch” (or, to be more precise, ‘Criquet’).
By: Arabella-Cox - 11th July 2013 at 09:42
The Historic Aircraft Collection used to do a re-enactment of the event at airshows back in the days when they operated the round-engined Storch.
The Storch in question is being modified and fitted with an Argus engine with other ‘mods’ underway next door to where I am writing this – it includes the provision of a rear MG15 gun ring which I am happy to say I was able to source and suply! The project is looking good and the Storch begins to look more like a ‘real’ Storch!
By: Stan Smith - 11th July 2013 at 06:14
Anyone need an L4A? I need to quit mine.
By: David Burke - 11th July 2013 at 04:16
The Patrick Lindsay example was MS.500 G-AZMH which ended up static in a Germany museum -I think in exchange for a target tug Sea Fury. The Italian example was with Guy Black as G-FIST and was a German built example complete with wooden wings.
By: Bager1968 - 11th July 2013 at 01:48
So the “last dogfight” of WW2 Europe was a re-creation of the first dogfights of WW1?
Two slow unarmed observation aircraft fighting it out with their aircrews using pistols?
By: redvanner - 11th July 2013 at 01:09
“Lt. Duane Francies and his observer, Lt. William Martin, took part in Francies’ 142nd mission and one of the most unusual aerial actions of the war………….”
Maybe the Storch`s crew was happy to be able to surrender without any more loss than losing pride? Just a thought…
Michael
By: Mike J - 11th July 2013 at 00:17
Where did that one end up David?
I remember another example that Mark Hanna had at Duxford for a short while, which ended up in a museum in Italy as part of a swap deal IIRC.
Then of course there was the phantom Glenn Lacey example………….
By: David Burke - 11th July 2013 at 00:10
Mike -Indeed the Storch is a great machine -I well remember watching the Late Patrick Lindsay’s example at Liverpool Air Display circa 1984 and being amazed by it ! However its probably very over engineered for what it did but that was a feature of a number of Luftwaffe aircraft!
By: 1batfastard - 11th July 2013 at 00:04
Hi All,
Here’s Burt Maders painting of the incident
Geoff. 😀
By: Mike J - 11th July 2013 at 00:00
I like the Storch. It is one of those aeroplanes that I just seem to cross paths with, and so I’ve been lucky enough to ride in the back of three examples. What a great machine!
By: Mike J - 10th July 2013 at 23:56
“Lt. Duane Francies and his observer, Lt. William Martin, took part in Francies’ 142nd mission and one of the most unusual aerial actions of the war………….”
By: Mike J - 10th July 2013 at 23:53
“On pp.310-312 of Cornelius Ryan’s 1959 “The Last Battle”
is an account of two 1st Lts (Scouts) of the US 5th Armored Divsion in a Piper Cub brought down the Fieseler Storch (photo page 190) German Pilot and observer captured.”
From http://www.supercub.org/forum/showthread.php?21671-Cub-V-Storch
By: Duggy - 10th July 2013 at 23:50
Got to love the Feiseler though, around sixty being used by the “Allies’ due too its amazing STOL ability.
From what I have read Monty was quite impressed.
By: Stepwilk - 10th July 2013 at 23:48
Well, that’s good enough for me. Thanks, Mike.
There are other forums I go to to find out what the gossip is, but I come to this one when I need facts.
By: Mike J - 10th July 2013 at 23:32
The Historic Aircraft Collection used to do a re-enactment of the event at airshows back in the days when they operated the round-engined Storch.
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July 10, 2013 at 11:24 pm