Re: 7.07.41 and claims/victories of JG 54?
 

The reason that I listed is that in the OBD that it lists them as "Did not return from combat mission" on the 30 Jul 41. Also that the website "forum" that they were discussing the 11 OAE PM NKVD had one person who had gone into some research it seemed to establish that they were flying SB's on the 30 July. I did see something about another Finnish pilot shooting down MBR-2 somewhere in that time frame.

Re: 7.07.41 and claims/victories of JG 54?
 

The lost of 2XMBR-2 on 29.07 or 30.07.41 has the same possibility. One day after, earlier in report, it could be wrong written.

In my opinion 2xSBs lost over Finland, it make no sense, they had operated over far different area and had been withdrown from combat operation after 7.07.41., when lost 4 SBs, and only 2 left plus 1 USB

FAF's pilot could destroyed these MBR-2s.

mw

BTW
In July 41 NKWD's MBR-2 were already in VVS VMF KBF.

Re: 7.07.41 and claims/victories of JG 54?
 

So all we can say for sure is that 4 SB from the 11 OAE were taken into the 35 SBAP and were not a separate unit at the time of the loss on the 07 Jul 41.

Re: 7.07.41 and claims/victories of JG 54?
 

No, not 4 but more, at least 6 SB + 1 USB means 7 SB. All were 9 SBs in 11. OAE on 22.06.41 + 3 MBR-2.

It was standard procedure created before war. After the war broken all NKWD's border units were cleary subordianted to the land, air or see forces. And it was happend also to 11. OAE.
11. OAE was transfered to ladn air frces (VVS RKKA) too as a one of flight (escadrila) in bomber regiment - 35. SBAP. It could not be a separate unit in the war.

mw