German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

On January 27th 1944, a formation of 3 Ju 52 floatplanes, escorted by an equal number of Arado 196s of 1. Staffel 126, were sighted to the west of Mykonos. Four 603 Squadron Beaufighters attacked and in the fight all the Junkers were shot down, as well as two of the Arados.
(ULTRA NOTE: The convoy of 3 Ju.52 and 3 Ar.196 wiped out by enemy heavy fighter patrol near MYKONOS. Sea rescue operation by 4 Ju.88 of ZG.26, 3 Ar.196 and 1 Do.24, without result so far.)




The Arados:

27.01.44 FF. Gfr. Horst Pfützner, Ar 196 A3 (D1+AH, W.Nr. 0154) 100% , BO. Ltn. Wolfgang Reichel, both (m.)

27.01.44 FF. Fw. Gustav Zobel, Ar 196 A3 (D1+CH, W.Nr. 0328) 100%, BO. Uffz. Herbert Thurner, both (m.)

27.01.44 Ar 196 A3 (D1+FH, W.Nr. 0297) 5%. After being hit was ditched and taxied onto the beach at Delos, the crew unhurt.

The 3 Ju 52 sea were shot down (War diary Seeko Attika S.490).

The Ju 52 sea:

FF. Uffz. Kurt Werner (+), Ju 52 sea (TE+DZ ex 8A+GL, W.Nr. 6987) 100%, BO. Ofw. Heinz Hieke, BF. Uffz. Philipp Beisel, BS. Gfr. Willy Nau (+), Ing. of 7. Seenotstaffel Ofw. Erich Burckhardt.

FF. Ofw. Heinrich Sellhorn-Timm, Ju 52 3m5e (DE+TS, ex 8A+GJ, W.Nr. 7126) 100%, BF. Uffz. Heinz Bunge, BO. Uffz. Erich Weidner, BS. Uffz. Werner Pankoke, all (+) 27.01.44 + 11 guests,

FF. ….Hans Cremer, Ju 52 sea with 3 guests and 11 soldiers ditched and taxied onto the beach at Delos, all survived the crash.


The following entry was made in the KTB of Gen.d.Lw.b.Ob.d.M. for February 1944 (translated from German)
Extract from report Seenotdienst dated 02.02.44.
Addition to report dated 29.01: Athens 27.01. Qu. 5852/23 Ost, 3 Ju 52 and 3 Ar 196 shot down. Five men from a Ju 52 of 1. and 3. Seetransportfliegerstaffel rescued themselves, two men from an Ar 196 of 1. Aufkl.Fl.Gr. 126 and seven men from the Kriegsmarine (passengers) did the same. Missing are nine crew members from 1. and 3. Seetransportfliegerstaffel, four crew members of 1. Aufkl.Fl.Gr.126 and 27 passengers.


regards

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Byron, did you mean to ask a question about this?

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Fluggast = passengers

I can ask question; who was third plane (number or code)

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

To add some spices, seems there not 1 but 2 more Ju52 for a total of 30 passengers .

Rémi

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

No questions Nick,

only the interesting story. It is amazing what the Beaufighters achieved over the Aegean. Look the Blenheims, bombing the harbor of Preveza (Ionian sea).
Ηι Remi, i think 3 Ju 52 can load 30 passengers

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

I have a few more originals showing the Preveza attack if anyone is interested taken from an album of 300 camera gun shots kept by the CO of 252 Sqn. Always thought about a book just using these photos......

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

I am one Chris

i think you have my mail

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Hello Byron, 30 pass. just for the 2 unkown Ju52, what is also confirmed by the "Bestände" for the 26.Jan.44 nd of 29.Jan.44, 1.St. planes reduce from 10 to 9, 3.St. from 8 to 5 , nd also crew reduced from 13 to 12 , nd 8 to 5.

Interesting would be to hv the monthly losses for these units

Rémi


Picture above Preveza, let thinking that there is not Flak everywhere at that time.

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Hi Remi,

till now i couldn`t find any. Please remember me with the ULTRA files

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

You've just sold your first copy Chris :D

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Si
Nice to know! The photos are amazing as these shows. All dated and located. Perhaps I will push it if there is interest then!
BTW Fw 200 photo book finished..... That means 2 x He 111, 1 x Bf 109, 1 x Fw 200 and just 2 more to do (Do 17 & Ju 88). Then another book for Osprey (their Fw 200 book should be out soon) and at least another book for Classic... Retired? No chance

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Chris,

Tried to pitch a 'Strike Wing' book on Beaufighter's / Mosquito variants at Osprey recently but apparently there is a limited market !

Perhaps I went to the wrong person

Andy B.

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Chris,

is there any additional info available about these two interesting pics?

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

What was the final score of the encounter ?? I mean how many vessels/ seems also fish-cutter../ sunk, how many Beauf. down ??

Rémi

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Hello Chris,

May I follow up the above statement by asking what the other books for Osprey and Classic will be? My vote would go to 'Me 410 Units' and perhaps a 'Complete History of Jabos', but I may be asking for too much :)

Warm regards,

Paul

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Hello Andy,

You have at least one very keen reader waiting!

I have to say I am not entirely sure of Osprey's marketing strategy, for example the Skyraider Units title out next month is very interesting for me, but I don't think it will sell very well outside the US.

I would like to ask you a 'Strike Wing' question via PM, so please clear your inbox :)

Warm regards,

Paul

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Fabulous photos, really amazing quality given they were taken in combat. Those shipping strikes were spectacular.....I've got a superb book on the Banff strike wing which is full of photos like this, gets my vote :) When I was at RAF Benson we had a huge photo of a shipping strike blown up onto the wall of the bar, it was incredible: full of tracer, explosions, rockets and best of all-24 beau fighters in a very small space!

Good to hear you're keeping busy, I look forward to seeing your next publication :)

Edit: Chris I have several Ju88 Flugbuch (I'm still buying away!) with Feindflug if you want anything for your book on it. I've also got some photos of my Great-Uncle if you ever need any personal type shots. Cheers and best of luck with it.

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Fascinating post. Can anyone confirm the claimants of 603 Squadron? As an Edinburger I am very interested in their Beaufighter claims.

regards

Keith

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Paul
The books are Fw 200 Combat Units for Osprey and......a book together with Herr Ott on the Fw 200 in combat for Classic/Crecy. Having turned up loads of Condor photos of late, it seem to be the way to go!
Byron & Remi
I have all the details on each camera gun sequence. From memory, the one with steam/smoke is 1 Jun 44-I wrote about this for Britain at War; 2 Beaufighters lost. The other is 25 May 43.
Andy
I don't think that such a book would not appeal to Osprey at this time; they seem to be concentrating on Luftwaffe & aces
Byron
Cannot seem to find your email

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Chris,
i`ll send you a message, thanks

Re: German floatplanes in the Aegean
 

Hello Chris,

Thank you! Apologies for the week-long delay in replying, I got caught up in other things. The combination with Herr Ott on the operational history of the Fw 200 promises to be a very welcome addition to the literature :)

Warm regards,

Paul