Luftwaffe friendly fire
 

Hi guys

I have been given to understand that German records reveal the following losses of Luftwaffe aircraft to their own flak during the period January 1943-June 1944. Not many of these have come to my attention. Can anyone put flesh on bones?

January 1943/24
February 1943/18
March 1943/12
April 1943/11
May 1943/23
June 1943/12
July 1943/29
August 1943/35
Septmber 1943/21
October 1943/10
November 1943/14
December 1943/20


January 1944/2
February 1944/17
March 1944/5
April 1944/9
May 1944/14
June 1944/8


(grand total January 1943- June 1944 = 284


Reference: ‘Air Staff Post Hostilities Intelligence Requirements’, Section Ivi, Volume 2, Appendix III (source To Command the Sky)

Cheers
Brian

Re: Luftwaffe friendly fire
 

Brian I have not got much on this hope this helps :-
1. 6/7-4-1944 Ju 88 of Einsatz St./KG 101 returning from attack on S/W England hit by German Flak as it approached Jersey and crashed Eden Chapel, St Savior . Crew of Fw. August Spoo three killed and one died of injuries. Parts of aircraft in Museum on Jersey.
2. 20-6-1944 He 111 H-20 S3+NK w.n. 700420 of 2/TG 30. T/O from Orly on a supply flight to Fortress Cherbourg , at approx 2330 hrs was seen to approach Jersey at low altitude with stb. engine on fire . Was engaged by light Flak from Fort Regent, St. Helier and crashed at Samaraes , St. Clement crew of Fw. Karl Gruhler all killed,

Good luck with the Others,
Brian Bines

Re: Luftwaffe friendly fire
 

Hi Brian

Many thanks - two new ones to me - 282 to go!!

I note you now have the Stirling details - hopefully you will be able to find out more about the 'Dook'!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Luftwaffe friendly fire
 

Brian another two:-
1. 11-4-1944 He 177 A-3 6N+GK 2355 2/KG 100 . While on a transfer flight was shot down by own Flak near Munster-Handorf . unnamed pilot safe , four injured and Bm. killed.
2. 21-5-1944 Ju 88 A-4 PI+AP 2570 of 5/KG 2. While on non.op. flight shot down by own Flak near Beauvais crew of Fw. Treugebrodt all killed,

Brian

Re: Luftwaffe friendly fire
 

Great stuff Brian

Where are all the other responses, though?

Cheers
Brian

Re: Luftwaffe friendly fire
 

Hello Brian.

24th August 1943.

Focke-Wulf 190 A-3.
Wnr.304 (?)
2./NAG13.
Shot down by German flak from Herm island (just east of Guernsey) in error.Oberfeldwebel Arnold Weinrauch killed.Aircraft crashed on Shell Beach,Herm.

Hope this helps?

Re: Luftwaffe friendly fire
 

Brian, a possibility :- at around 0350 hrs on 4th.Sept. 1943 Ltn Baack of 14/KG 2 claimed a twin engined aircraft south of Lincoln . I could not find an RAF loss perhaps someone else can advise on the possibility of a RAF or USAAF loss/damage that ties up . If there is no such loss Ju 88 D-1 7A+LH 430778 of 1(F)/121 failed to return from a flight to England in the early morning of the 4th. crew of Oblt. Lutsch with Oberstltn. Giese Kom 1(F)/123 missing . Only two enemy aircraft were reported as crossing the coast of East Anglia that night , could be a possibility for your friend on friend incidents ? Hopefully someone on this forum may have more info. on this,

Regards
Brian Bines

Re: Luftwaffe friendly fire
 

Once again thanks Brian - I'll keep this incident in mind. And thanks Cheesey - yes, another new one to me.

Keep 'em coming!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Luftwaffe friendly fire
 

Brian (B): If the Ju 88 was claimed 'south of Lincoln', surely it would have come down on land and as far as I am aware, it did not.

Brian (C): Perhaps the lack of responses is due to the immensity of your request. I know of a number of Luftwaffe 'blue on blue' but simply do not have the time to help!

Re: Luftwaffe friendly fire
 

Hi Chris

Perhaps, when I bring over a copy of 'Diver! Diver! Diver! later in the year, you will not only treat me to a lunch but also let me lose amongst your files so that I can dig out the information I require!!

I thought it would be easier for anyone with the odd Luftwaffe friendly fire incident to post it, rather than be specific month by month! After all, those 284 incidents for the period January 1943-June 1944 are 'official' admissions, as far as I am aware, so surely they can't be that secretive, unrecorded or unknown?

The Ju88 loss mentioned by Brian B - it could be that the aircraft was attacked and damaged south of Lincoln but then made an attempt to get home and came down in the sea.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Luftwaffe friendly fire
 

Brian

Thanks for this. You might be unlucky getting hold of me later in the year unless you happen to be in the Middle East! By the way the Pen & Sword book on V1 missions is out......

In respect of the Lincoln kill, don't forget that the Luftwaffe did not credit damaged only confirmed kills so if it did bimble out over the North Sea, Baack would not have claimed it unless he saw it crash and thus Lincoln would be Nord See!

Chris