15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Hello,

can somebody clarify the number of total pilot losses of this unit ? Some sources say 16 killed(all reason) and 7 defected and the other say 16 losses and from these 7 defected.

Thanks

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Depend on which source you is based your info. Best info is the retired general Vojislav Mikic who have done much research and Bundesarchiv and military archive in Belgrade and two researchers from Belgrade, Dragan Savic and Boris Ciglic are published book in Osprey about this unit- and this is best source of data and available online for sale.

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

I used the book from Likso, Tihomir "Croatian Air Force... " . But this source did't contain the summary losses.

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Main archive is in Belgrade and except of the domestic data there is also microfilmed data from German archives. Did the author of the book use this data? I have never seen his book so can't tell you anything. Better wait for the other to give you full info- I just give you some direction.

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

I guess we might get more info when Marko Jeras's book "Checkerboard Hunters" finally gets out.

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Hi,

According to my files, I have the following:

KIA/KIFA - 9
Lt. Ewald Baumgarten - german liason officer
Obfw. Veca Mikovic
Fw. Stjepan Radic
Lt. Jure Lasta
Lt. Josip Nikoljacic
Obfw. Josip Cipcic
Lt. Andelko Antic
Uffz. Vladimir Salamon
Uffz. Dragutin Gazapi

defection/possible defection - 7
Hptm. Berislav Supek
Oblt. Nikola Vucina
Obfw. Viktor Mihelcic
Hptm. Bogdan Vujicic
Oblt. Albin Starc
Hptm. Nikola Cvikic
Lt. Nikola Vice


regards,
Tomislav

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

what does "possible defection" mean ?

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Well, for some pilots I still have no firm evidence that they defected.
Hptm. Berislav Supek changed after the war his statements a few times, from desorientation to organised defection.
Oblt. Nikola Vucina defected
Obfw. Viktor Mihelcic was supposedly shot down on an escort mission
Hptm. Bogdan Vujicic, Oblt. Albin Starc and Hptm. Nikola Cvikic, all defected
Lt. Nikola Vice went missing in a Kl35.

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Mihelcic was KIA
Vice defected to Turkey with an mechanic
Mikovic was shot and killed by Soviet troops after a forced landing on the Soviet side of the front (his plane was struck by return fire from an Pe 2)
Berislav Supek lost orientation and landed on Soviet side
Mato Dukovac and Zvonimir Spoljar also defected
Josip Kranjc KIA
Albin Sval KIA
Zvonimir Rajteric KIFA
Cipic (not Cipcic) KIFA
Ivan Karner KIFA
the rest of info is correct

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Hi Boris,

is this the same person or two different pilot ?

And what is with

Culinovic Mato KIA 7/10/1943 and
Martinasevic Stephan KIFA 23/12/43

I assume, all pilot in your list killed during there duty in the east front ?


Thanks

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Its the same person.
Culinovic (KIA 7.10.42.) and Stjepan Martinasevic were not members of 15./JG 52 at the time of death.
Your assumption is correct.

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Hello,

@Boris, thank you for the corrections!

pozdrav,

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Also 12 killed and 7 POW(defected) in east. Thanks a lot for all responses !

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Informations that you get would be incorrect without name of one more Croatian, and ex YAF pilot:

č/n Ivan Sekereš - killed at airfield under Soviet bombing attack...

Lastan

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Wasn't he of Hungarian origin (i.e., Szekeres)?

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

I hawe no informations about his nationality, in fact he did not ask CAF command for release from duty. I saw lot of pilots do that, like Viktor Molnar (he was of Hungarian origin!), and CAF command newer made any problem from that. Photographs from Sekereš confirm that he was naval pilot before WW II in Yugoslavia, but as 15./JG 52 pilot he mostly fly with sole KL-35. Perhaps his YRAF records exist in Serbia, and a relevant answer about his origin.

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Croatians with Hungarian names were not unusual given they shared a border and Croatian was once part of Austro-Hungary. Here is another one:

SZENTLELEKY, Dragutin. 09.11.42 infantry Nadporučnik, posthumously awarded the Great Silver Medal for Courage for service in the 14th Infantry Rgt.

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Thank you Larry for feedback. But back to topic:

With pilot olt Ivan Rupčić on list, 16 killed pilots (for all reason) is acceptable. 8 other pilots defected etc. and survive WW II. In total, about 70 pilots pass through 15. (Kroat.) JG 52.

1. Ivan Rupčić KIFA (JFS in Germany aug. 1941., he was member of 4.th zrakoplovna skupina)
2. Ewald Baumgarten KIA
3. Anđelko Antić KIA
4. Viktor Mihelčić KIA
5. Stjepan Radić KIA
6. Jure Lasta KIA
7. Josip Nikoljačić KIA
8. Josip Čipić KIFA
9. Vladimir Salamon KIA
10. Dragutin Gazapi KIA
11. Ivan Karner KIFA
12. Ivan Sekereš KI bombing attack, rank - Stabsfeldwebel
13. Veco Miković KIA
14. Albin Šval KIA
15. Josip Kranjc KIA
16. Zvonimir Rajterić KIFA

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

Thank you for additional info, Lastan

Re: 15.(Kroat)/JG52
 

It was a pleasure for me to assist you

Lastanhttp://forum.12oclockhigh.net/images/icons/icon7.gif