Halifax mystery

Alan Dicey wrote in message ...

I have Closermann's book "The Big Show" (don't know what the original
French title was; the english copy includes a credit for Oliver Berthoud
as translator). In the three-page chapter titled "Walter Nowotny", he wrote

"On 15th March last I was leading a section of four Tempests in a rat
scramble over Rheine/Hopsten at 8,000 feet. Suddenly we saw at ground
level a Messerschmitt 262 without any camouflage, its polished wings
glittering in the sun. It was already in the flak corridor and about to
put down. The barrage of tracers was already up to cover its approach.
In accordance with the new orders I decided not to attack in these
conditions when, without warning, my number 4 dived vertically towards
the small bright dot which was nearing the long cement runway. Hurtling
throught the air like a bullet Bob Clark miraculously went through the
wall of flak without being hit and fired a long burst at the silvery Me
262, which was in the final phase of its approach. The Messerschmitt
crashed in flames at the edge of the airfield.
A fortnight later we learned by cross-checking captured documents
and prisoners' reports that the Me 262 had been piloted by Nowotny."

I can see no reason to doubt Clostermann's account, which in any case
can be cross-checked against the records (by someone who is familiar
enough with them and has access, which is not me).

Problems,

Nowotny was killed on 8 November 1944 after being in combat with
USAAF aircraft.

The book Typhoon and Tempest Story by Chris Thomas and
Christopher Shores has a list of all kill claims by Typhoon and
Tempest Pilots.

Nothing on 15 March 1945 for Tempests.

Does not seem to be any claims by a Clark at any time.

For what it is worth the kill claims for P H Clostermann flying
Tempests are,

Bf109 5 March 1945
Fw190 2 April 1945
2 Fw190 20 April 1945

Geoffrey Sinclair
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