The 2./Versuchsverband OKL, the so-called "Feindfliegerstaffel" (Enemy Flyer Squadron), was part of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht's captured enemy aircraft testing and evaluation unit. This unit also displayed and flew their captured machines for the pilots in the different fighter units and was informally dubbed the "Zirkus Rosarius" after its commander Hauptmann Theodor Rosarius.

The unit was set up on 28 February 1944, and by then had in its inventory one P-47 Thunderbolt and two Spitfires. As the war over France and Germany intensified a number of other Allied fighters and reconnaissance machines fell into the hands of the Germans.

One of these machines, a P-47 D-16-RE Thunderbolt Serial Number 42-75971 "Ruthless Ruthie", had an interesting history. It was originally flown by the eight-kill ace Lt. George P. Novotny from the 310th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, 12th USAAF.

On 29 May 1944, it was lost on a ferry-flight when its pilot, 2nd Lt. Lloyd Hathcock landed in error at Rome-Littorio. He had flown the correct distance, albeit on a reciprocal (reverse) heading.

On 2 June the Germans made their first test flight in this machine when Fl. Hauptingenieur Lerche from the Erprobungsstelle Rechlin took to the air. Later that day Lerche flew the machine to Germany and landed at München-Riem at 18:56.

Repainted with large German markings and striking yellow undersides it was test flown by the Luftwaffe at Rechlin coded "8+6" in the Rechlin's typical identification markings style.

Later transferred to "Zirkus Rosarius" on 12 October 1944, this Thunderbolt received the call-sign T9-LK. Thereafter it took part in the display missions and familiarization flights by Luftwaffe fighter pilots. It is known that this machine was part of the 2./Versuchsverband OKL that visited units such as JG 6 and JG 77 among others.

Finally it was captured by units of the 2nd US Infantry Division at the Wörishofen airbase outside Göttingen on 8 April 1945. By then the machine had been stripped of parts and was lacking its propeller. The captured Thunderbolt still retained the inscription "Ruthless Ruthie" on its engine cowling, just as it looked when captured.

Its bright yellow undersides and tail, and large national markings were present to ensure recognition by German ground and air forces as a captured but 'friendly' aircraft.

Today Monday I got this additional information from the German historian Friedrich "Fritz" Braun

Dear Claes

At todays Profile there occured a Mistake. (P-47). You're right US - Army captured Göttingen Airfield at April 8th '45.
This is in Northern Germany, a little north of Kassel. The Airfield there is today a Industrial Zone northwest of Göttingen and some Buildings still exists still today.

Wörishofen Airfield is here in the south at Bad Wörishofen. This is east of Memmingen in Bavaria. The Distance between is ca. 500 km to Göttingen. Source Google maps and Jürgen Zapf's Book "Flugplätze der Luftwaffe
1934 - 1945"

The P-47 was probably in Wörishofen, the Main Base for JG 3. Proof that Zirkus Rosarius was there with
several of it's foreign Planes. The Frontwheel of the captured P-38 is still there in the Museum.

The American Pilot (deserted) was in US Prison from 1945 to 1974 (30 Years !) Hans Klaffenbach was only 20 Years old when he flew the P-47

Greetings and Horrido

This profile was published in my profile book no 11 as profile number 100.