The Focke-Wulf FW 190 landed by mistake on 28 April 1945 at Villafranca, new “home” of the USAAF’s 57th Fighter Group, repaired and set on foot. As it is see the airplane is almost intact. Victor Sierra

Set on foot

Personnel of the USAAF’s 57th Fighter Group and a GI surrounding a German fighter Focke-Wulf FW 190 landed by mistake at Villafranca airfield, Verona, 28 April 1945. The Luftwaffe’s pilot landed thinking the airfield still in German hands when on the contrary was already occupied by the Americans. Upon seeing the P-47s of the 57th FG he fled the aircraft leaving the engine running. Subsequently, according the 57th FG’s history, one of the GIs guarding the aircraft was fooling around the cockpit and accidentally pulled the gear handle collapsing the landing gear with other limited damages. On the ground the canopy likely jettisoned by the pilot searching for the escape. Victor Sierra

Land by mistake

Bf 109E3 7.JG26 (W13+I) Walter Blume, Caffiers ,France 1940 

