*During research for both the first and current editions of this book the author corresponded with Luftwaffe veterans and researchers in an effort to learn the identity of the tenacious Me-410 crew involved in this fierce combat with Sgt. Bill Watts. From correspondence in the 1980s with Dr. Karl Ries, a noted Luftwaffe historian and author, it appeared the mystery was solved when the author was informed that Luftwaffe records recorded the loss of only one Me-410 on December 20, 1943. This aircraft was “Black 10” of Gruppe II, Zerstorergeschwader 26 (Destroyer Wing 26) (II/ZG26) an Me-410A-1, Werk Nr. 420 087, with the Aircraft Code “3 U + S 10.” “Black 10” was flown by Lt. Hans Joachim Rettig, Pilot, and Uffz. Heinz Zobel, Observer, and was reported lost SW of Cuxhaven, Germany, both crewmen being listed as “lost in action.”

Hopes for certainty were dashed shortly after receipt of Dr. Ries’ letter when another Luftwaffe researcher, the late Emil Nonnenmacher, wrote to confirm the loss of this single Me-410, but also to caution that many Luftwaffe records were destroyed at the end of the war, so that all Luftwaffe losses cannot be established with certainty. Thus the author could not be sure that “Black 10” was the aircraft involved in this combat.

For the present edition of this book another attempt was made to learn more about Luftwaffe daylight losses on December 20, 1943. In July 1998 the author corresponded with Herr Rudolf Tyrassek, a present day Luftwaffe researcher who was a nightfighter trainee at the end of the war. While it remains impossible to confirm that “Black 10” and her crew were Sgt. Watts’s opponents in this fight, information provided by Herr Tyrassek leads the author to conclude, at a minimum, that the Me-410 in combat with City of Wanette did belong to II/ZG26, since this was the only Luftwaffe day-fighter unit equipped with the Me-410 operating in Northern Germany at this time.

Anyone having further information bearing on this subject is invited to contact the author.