Dutch WWII Airwar Researcher Jacobus "Co" de Swart investigated WWII air combat victory claims of German Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot Oberleutnant Erich Burkert. De Swart's research found confirmation of those claims, including two USAAF B-17s, one from the 95th Bombardment Group on 17 August 1943, and one from the 96th Bombardment Group on 20 October 1943. This photo Gallery presents the results of the research, as well as the modern day gatherings of the descendants of the combatants and witnesses to these events. Among the researchers de Swart collaborated with to fill some voids were the Belgian team at The Comet Network.

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Schiphol Airport Holland > Burkert Aug 17 1943

022 Burkert_Aug_17_1943.jpg Luftwaffe Fighterpilot Oblt Erich Burkert  7/9JG26ThumbnailsLuftwaffe Career Oblt E Burkert (1909 1944)Luftwaffe Fighterpilot Oblt Erich Burkert  7/9JG26ThumbnailsLuftwaffe Career Oblt E Burkert (1909 1944)Luftwaffe Fighterpilot Oblt Erich Burkert  7/9JG26ThumbnailsLuftwaffe Career Oblt E Burkert (1909 1944)Luftwaffe Fighterpilot Oblt Erich Burkert  7/9JG26ThumbnailsLuftwaffe Career Oblt E Burkert (1909 1944)Luftwaffe Fighterpilot Oblt Erich Burkert  7/9JG26ThumbnailsLuftwaffe Career Oblt E Burkert (1909 1944)

Take off for Burkert and Kraft, both in 9 Staffel JG 26 was from Nazi-occupied Schiphol Airport, Holland.
After return of this mission, Burkert's groundgrew offered him flowers for downing a B17 (postwar came out- B17 42-30274)(Photo credit: daughter Gisela Burkert/Berlin, Germany