Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

I am going to add some episodes about the air war in this area a little at a time. My friend, Kirche will I am sure add corrections were I make mistakes and his corrections are always welcome. I usually go by my alias “Nokose” but many already know my name is Michael Barrentine.

27 August 1942

The Soviet command dispatched a Shturmovik raid against the German airfield to the northeast of Dugino this day. 5 Il-2 from the 685 met up with their fighter escort at 14:54 (Moscow Time). This consisted of 5 Yak-1 from the 1 GIAP led by Starshiy Leytenant Zudilov and 4 Yak-1 from the 163 IAP led by Starshiy Leytenant Zhuykov. The Soviet pilots reported being intercepted by 16 Bf 109 as they traveled to the target. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0051, l. 106 Operational Report of the Staff 210 IAD)

The Germans had Bf 109s from III/JG 51, I/JG 52 and I/JG 54 pounce on the Soviet aircraft as they moved to the target. The Soviet fighters were distracted from escorting their charges by I/JG 52 and I/JG 54 struck the Il-2s. Feldwebel Peter Siegler of 3./JG 54 shot down an Il-2 (34) at 14:22 at an altitude of 800 m and followed with another Il-2 (35) at 14:23 at an altitude of 500 m. The Soviet fighters felt their first loss as Feldwebel Rudolf Trenkel of 2./JG 52 shot down a LaGG-3 (7) at 14:23 at an altitude of 800 m. The JG 52 pilots then attacked the Il-2s. Hauptmann Helmut Bennemann of Stab I/JG 52 shot down an Il-2 (48) at 14:24 at teifflug and at the same time Unteroffizier Gerhard Hübner of 2./JG 52 shot down an Il-2 (10) at 14:24 at teifflug. The Shturmoviks were then attacked by JG 51. Gefreiter Erich Hobein of 8./JG 51 shot down an Il-2 (6) at 14:25 at teifflug. Again the Soviet fighters suffered another loss, this time Feldwebel Karl Hammerl of 1./JG 52 shot down a LaGG-3 (52) at 14:28 at an altitude of 20 m. Again the Shturmoviks were attacked, this time by Unteroffizier Otto Würfel of 9./JG 51 shooting down an Il-2 (1) at 14:30.

As the Soviet aircraft reached the airfield, they met German flak. The Soviet fighters still engaged in a dogfight suffered another loss. Oberfeldwebel Berthold Grassmuck of 1./JG 52 shot down a LaGG-3 (61) at an altitude of 500 m. The last Il-2 claim was made by Hauptmann Hans Oehlschläger of Stab I/JG 52 shooting down an Il-2 (2) at 14:3 at teilfflug.

The Soviet fighter pilots stated that they observed an Il-2 go down to German flak but it seems that the Germans would have denied one of the claims if it had occurred. As for the actual Soviet losses on the Soviet fighters making their landing at 16:10 (MT) missing were 3 Yak-1: Starshiy Serzhant Sergey Shuykov from 1 GIAP, Starshiy Leytenant Ivan Sharoyko from 163 IAP (Sharoyko had 8 victories and 2 group victories at this time) and Starshiy Leytenant Sergey Kotyuko ( Kotyuko would return from a German POW camp). The Soviet fighter pilots claimed to have shot down 2 Me-109 and damaged another Me-109, actually there were no Bf 109 losses.

The Soviet Shturmoviks suffered nearly a total loss in this raid with 4 Il-2 and one that was so damaged from flak and attacks from Bf 109, it was sent to be repaired. Missing were Mladshiy Leytenant Aleksandr Belyakov, Mladshiy Leytenant Mikhail Vladimirov, Starshiy Leytenant Stepan Isupov and Leytenant Ivan Radchenko (Radchenko would return from a POW camp in 1945). The Il-2 piloted by Starshina Dol’nikov returned his Il-2 to Soviet territory and landed on the frame, having been hit by German flak and finally by Bf 109s before escaping into the clouds. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0054, l. 180 Operational Report of the Staff 212 ShAD)

There was one further claim made by Feldwebel Peter Siegler of 3./JG 54 for an Il-2 (36) at an altitude of 800 m. This was far to the northwest of Dugino over Soviet territory but there is no way to connect this claim.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Very interesting Michael

Thanks for this, and please....just keep going :)

Cheers
Stig

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Very interesting Nokose, keep this coming as most of us can't read the Russian books/sources where you can find such stories.

My only small critic would be that in the text, I would rather say " this time by Unteroffizier Otto Würfel of 9./JG 51 claiming an Il-2 (1) at 14:30." rather than " this time by Unteroffizier Otto Würfel of 9./JG 51 shooting down an Il-2 (1) at 14:30." In the example above, 4 Il-2 were lost and one damaged, against 7 German claims for Il-2 (and even 8 if the claim by Siegler is included). On the other hand, the Soviet fighter losses and German claims match in number (3), even if all German were wrong on type (LaGG-3 vs Yak-1).

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Hi Michael,
I did the analysis of this fight in 2017 - I have a report on 11 pages of A4 format (for Zhuykov's relatives). Similar conclusions. Add - Kotyukov and Sharoiko survived in captivity. There are pictures of 8 Russian pilots from 10 and 7 well-known German pilots of the 9 with this fight. Of all the known list of Germans, only two survived the war, and of the Russian - probably six. I only forced landing Dolnikov lost then - apersuade was not even Operational Report of the Staff 212 ShAD two years ago.
Excellent work. I'll send my materials - can you do the article?
Best regards,
Kirill

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Nice one, thank you Michael!

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Thank you everyone for your comments. I don’t write as a profession, as you can see. I am more of a “source contributor” and was given the honor of being a co-author in a future work by Brian Cull. Kirche, I’ll contact you by email. For anyone that doesn’t know Kirche, he’s a member of Russian recovery team, they locate both German and Soviet aircraft to recover the remains of the aviators so that they can be given the proper burial that they deserve.

9 August 1942

In the sky above the positions of the Soviet 31st Army in the area of the Vazuza River, were 5 Yak-1 from the 163 IAP led by Kapitan Viktor Volkov, having taken off at 05:45 (MT). Approaching the Soviet pilots observed up to 20 Ju 88 in groups of 6 - 8 aircraft under escort of three groups of 4 Bf 109 F. The Soviet pilots moved to attack these formations. Kapitan Volkov’s group attacked the 1st group of 8 Ju 88 with its 8 Bf 109 F escort. Kapitan Volkov and Starshiy Leytenant Sergey Katyukov as a pair reported shooting down a Ju 88 to the south of Zubtsov. Kapitan Volkhov was attacked by 2 Bf 109 from above on the front from the sun. He was reported to have been attacked at the same time from below to the rear. The engine caught fire and Kapitan Volkov parachuted over Soviet territory. From the German side the victor appears to be Feldwebel Heinrich Wefers of 4./JG 54 who shot down a Yak-1 (25) at 05:19 in this area.

Leytenant Aleksandr Nikulina was attacked by 2 Bf 109 from the rear above and left with a smoking aircraft. His fate was listed as missing. From the German side this was possibly Hauptmann Heinrich Jung of 4./JG 54 claiming a Yak-1 (25) at 05:20 to the southwest of Zubtsov.

Leytenant Ivan Sharoyko and Starshiy Leytenant Arkadiy Pokroskin met in air battle with 4 Bf 109 F, as a result Pokrovskin’s fighter was damaged. This was the possible claim made by Leutnant Karl-Heinz Weber of 7./JG 5, who reported shooting down a Yak-1 (22) at 05:15 to the west of the Vazuza River to the south of Zubtsov. He left with a decline from the battle. Leytenant Sharoyko covered him from attacks of the German fighters. Sharoyko observed for several minutes the attempt to escape by Pokroskin, before observing his Yak-1 tilt over on the wing and hit the ground. The aircraft burned but the fate of the pilot was unknown.

Leytenant Sharoyko’s Yak-1 was damaged and began to leave the battle because of control damage. As a result of the damage, he headed in the direction of Torzhok. He was pursued and attacked by 2 Bf 109 as he continued to his airfield with his burning fighter. As Sharoyko came to the Soviet airfield at Torzhok, he lowered his landing gear and made a normal landing. Sharoyko fled his fighter, which burned up on the ground. The German fighter pursuing the Yak-1, appears from from the location to be Obgefr Herbert Rauchfuss of 4./JG 54, who claimed a Yak-1 (5) at 05:25 to the east of Staritsa. This would be the direction that Sharoyko passed in his flight towards Torzhok. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0051, l. 86 Operational Report of the Staff 210 IAD)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Arkadiy Pokroskin (Pokrovskin) = Pokrovsky Arkady Vasilyevich (3+8 claims)
Aleksandr Nikulina = Nikulin Aleхandеr Matveevich (2+1 claims)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Hello Michael,
very interesting thread.
Thank you very much.
Cheers

Marco

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

This pilot was shot down not far after 8 days - we found him in the winter of 2014 - though there was little on the spot, except for the remains. the numbers were never found, but few options.

Literally: "One Il-2, pilot Starshina DOLNIKOV, in the area of the target fired by anti-Aircraft artillery fire and attacked by two ME-109. Made the attack (on target) and went into the clouds. As a result of the shelling of anti-Aircraft artillery and fighter attacks, the aircraft has 40 shell and bullet holes. Damaged chassis. Landing was made on one wheel. The plane requires an average repair."
So he landed the plane on the airfield - a Bolshoye Illino. Peter Siegler could fire dolnikov plane on the way back, if dolnikov went home bypassing Rzhev West (where there was a strong anti-Aircraft artillery), and then turned right to the airfield (56.922791, 34.311530).

German fighters knew that Il-2 fly to them and raised large forces - indicated on 16 Bf-109 (if you look at the number of different units in combat, it is real). Russian band while on the way to the goal met the aircraft Hs-126 on the parallel exchange rate (left above). But apparently all Il-2 were able to target. All the losses were on the way back from the goal - apparently the order of battle was destroyed after the attack.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

For the 27 August there was an interesting additional piece of information provided by Kirche on this incident. The reason for the “wasp nest” being so active was as the Soviet aircraft were traveling east there was a Hs 126 going the opposite direction. That would account for the hot reception they received.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Michael, the Russians approached not from the East and from the North (I think even from the North-West skirting Rzhev) is 3 VA - they are from East to Dugino never fly. All losses after the attack on Dugino. Scout they met who flew too at Dugino from Rzhev - apparently returning .

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

18 August 1942

At 06:05 (MT) took off Pe-2 (# 11/90) from the 11 ORAP flown by Serzhant Ivan Moshkin for a reconnaissance in the area of Bely, Guseva and Afanasovo. Lt. Klaus-Hennig Kamrath of 12./JG 51 claimed a Yak-4 (1) at 05:50. Serzhant Moshkin would be released from a POW camp in 1945. (TsAMO f. 21966, o. 0198586s, d. 0002, l. 2 Journal of Combat Operations 11 ORAP, also information from Kirche)

At 08:30(MT) in the area of Timofeevo at an altitude of 1500 m 3 LaGG-3 from 5 GIAP led by Kapitan Laveykin intercepted and engaged in a dogfight 4 Bf 109 F. After 3-4 attacks the Bf 109s left to the south.

At 11:45 (MT) in the area of Znamemskoye at an altitude of 2000 m 6 LaGG-3 from the 5 GIAP led by Podpolkovik Juriy Berkal’ met in battle 6 Bf 109, which attempted to attack a Pe-2, after the attack the German fighters went into the clouds. No results were claimed by either side.

15:40 - 15:55 (MT) in the area of the airfield of Rzhev at an altitude of 1000 m an interception of 14 Ju 88 and 2 escorting Bf 109 was made by 4 LaGG-3 from the 5 GIAP led by Mayor Grigoriy Onufrienko (Soviet ace). The Soviet fighters made 4 attacks on the German bombers. Soviet pilots claimed 3 damaged Ju 88 for the damage to one LaGG-3. No German claims were made. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0050, l. 110 Operational Report of the Staff 209 IAD)

15:35 - 16:30 (MT) 5 Yak-1 from 163 IAP led by Mayor Aleksandr Tormozov escorted 5 Il-2 from the 212 ShAD to operate in the area of Red’kino. In the target area they met 3 Ju 88 and went to attack and were in turn attacked by 6 Bf 109. In the ensuing dogfight the Shturmoviks laid down a smoke screen, while the Soviet fighters kept them at bay for an escape. On landing the Soviet Yak-1 flown by Leytenant Sergey Katyukov was listed as missing. Obfw. Heinz Klöpper of 11./JG 51 claimed a LaGG-3 (60) at 17:00 at 7 km northeast of Wassiljeswkoje (Vasil’yevskoye, Tver Oblast). Katyukov would return to his regiment. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0051, l. 97 Operational Report of the Staff 210 IAD)

More on Obfw. Heinz Klöpper in later posts. Also more to come on the claim for Günther Schack’s claim for this day when documentary information can be verified.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Whole crew of 11 ORAP on 18 August 1942 is listed at http://allaces.ru/p/ls.php?div=rap0011&sort=dateL, all three crew are listed as missing;

https://obd-memorial.ru/html/advanced-search.htm only lists Moshkin as a released POW

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

12 August 1942 10:08 - ? (MT) at an altitude of 3100 m approached 5 Pe-2 from the 793 BBAP to their target in the area of Rzhev and observed antiaircraft fire. They reported being attacked by 2 Bf 109 and 2 He-113 from above on their rear. After 4 attacks the Pe-2s of Leytenant Nikolay Evseev and Mladshiy Leytenant Mikhail Kochkin started loosing altitude. One Pe-2 at an altitude of 100-150 m fell burning 12-15 km north of Rzhev. From the second Pe-2 was observed one member of the crew to parachute, the landing place of both parachutist and aircraft not observed. One returning Pe-2 on returning was damaged and the right landing gear came down as it attempted to make a landing, it folded and further damaged the aircraft. Feldwebel Rudi Meyer of 9./JG 51 claimed a Pe-2 (1) at 09:43 and Unteroffizier Hubert Strassl of 9./JG 51 claimed a Pe-2 (5) at 09:45. The Soviet gunners made a claim for one Me-109 and one He-113. No Bf 109s were lost. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0052, l. 90 Operational Report of the Staff 211 BBAD)

06:05 - 07:40 (MT) making a reconnaissance into the area of Rzhev - Zubtsov was a Pe-2 from the 11 ORAP and the crew reported being attacked by 2 Bf 109 at 07:15 (MT). Unteroffizier Günther Schack from 7./JG 51 claimed a Pe-2 (8) at 06:10 at an altitude of 1500 m at 12 km northeast of Zubtsov. Excerpt from Schack’s diary listed in the book “Alarmstart East: The German Fighter Pilot’s Experience on the Eastern Front 1941-1945” by Patrick G. Eriksson, “On 12 August I am able to score my 8th Abschuss. After completing an escort mission, a lone Pe-2 turns up. Before it can save itself in the clouds, large flames come out of the right wing after my burst. She falls into the Volga with a big splash. One man was able to save himself with his parachute.” The Pe-2 returned to its airfield missing one crew member, apparently the gunner. This man does not appear in the Russian OBD, so apparently he returned later. As for the Pe-2 the Soviets classified the damage as due to antiaircraft fire. (TsAMO f. 21966, o. 01985886s, d. 0002, l. 1 page 1 Journal of Combat Operations of the 11 ORAP)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

06 August 1942 20:05 - 21:05 (MT) 3 Yak-1 of 521 IAP led by Mayor Timofey Koylochny engaged 12 Bf 109 F at Zubtsov. Mayor Koylochny claimed a Me-109 F and Leytenant Vladimir Timofeenko also claimed a Me-109 F at Zubtsov. In this dogfight Leutnant Ernst Weismann of 12./JG 51 claimed a MiG-3 (60) at 19:32 and another MiG-3 (61) at 19:35. Koylocny’s score for the war was 4 individual and 1 group. Timofeenko’s score for the war was 4 individual and 1 group.

There were no actual German losses. The Soviet losses were the Yak-1 flown by Kapitan Chemerichkin of the 521 IAP. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0051, l. 83 Operational Report of the Staff 210 IAD)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

9 August 1942

12:30 - 14:10 (MT) 5 Hurricanes of the 157 IAP escorted Pe-2 bombers to bomb the railway station at Osuga. The Hurricane of Serzhant Il’ya Korsunskiy was supposedly hit by German flak in the target area and damaged. On the return at an altitude of 700 - 800 m, they were attacked out of the clouds by 5 Bf 109. Korsunkiy was missing on the other Hurricanes making a landing. (TsAMO f. 22362, o. 0429910s, d. 0001, l. 2 Journal of Combat Operations of the 157 IAP) Oberfeldwebel Heinz Klöpper of 11./JG 51 claimed a Hurricane (57) at 12:10 at 15 km SouthSouthWest of Zubtsov and another Hurricane (58) at 12:12 at 15 km South of Zubtsov. The Soviet 3 VA did report the loss of two Hurricanes this day but the other was during a morning mission.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

19 August 1942

At 15:12 (MT) took off LaGG-3 (# 3234) flown by Kapitan Pavel Emel’yanov of 21 IAP on an escort mission for a section of Il-2 from 5 ShAP. In the area of Burkovo his fighter was attacked by a Bf 109 and shot down. From the German side, Oberfeldwebel Heinz Klöpper of 11./JG 51 claimed a LaGG-3 (61) at 14:25 at 18 km to the northwest of Rzhev.

At 17:07 (MT) took off LaGG-3 (# 3237) flown by Serzhant Mikhail Mintrakov of 21 IAP for another escort mission of the Shturmoviks of 5 ShAP in the Rzhev area. At an altitude of 1500 m he was reported attacked by 6 Bf 109 and shot down. Gefreiter Erich Hilbein of 8./JG 51 claimed a LaGG-3 (2) at 16:40 in that area.

Both 21 IAP pilots were listed as missing in action but amazingly none of their charges were reported harmed. (TsAMO f. 22020, o. 044524, d. 0006, l. 1 page 63 Journal of Combat Operations of 21 IAP)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Michael

Previously you have always listed the number of Soviet fighters going into combat. Should the 19/8 actions be interpreted that 21 IAP only sent one single LaGG-3 as an escort each time?

That sounds more or less like suicide missions to me, especially in a LaGG-3!

B Rgds
Stig

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Stig,

Strangely enough there was only one LaGG-3 per mission.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Hello Nokose,

Please read what is written on the right side of the diary.
Each time on 19.Aug.42 the 21.IAP's pilot was a wingman in 5.GIAP.
The missions were troops cover, not the escort of Il-2s

Best regards,
Andrey

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Thanks Andrey! It looked more like a ШАП, then a ГИАП but you can read cursive Russian. The Operational Report of the Staff 209 IAD didn’t provide any times on the 19 August 42 but the Journal did.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Thanks Andrey (and Michael)

That explains it.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

9 August 1942

At 10:25 (MT) took off 5 Pe-2 from 793 BBAP to bomb the railway station at Osuga. On their return journey crossing over the area of Zubtsov, they ran into German fighters. Oberfeldwebel Paul Finkler of 4./JG 54 claimed a Pe-2 (1) at 10:13 for the first kill against the Soviet bombers. Oberfeldwebel Maximilian Stotz of 4./JG 54 claimed a Pe-2 (60) at 10:15 and followed with another Pe-2 (61) at 10:17 for the last loss from this formation. At the completion of the mission at 11:45 (MT) the aircraft crews of Mladshiy Leytenant Avdokhin, Serzhants Aleksey Volynchchikov and Ivan Moiseev were listed as missing. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0052, l. 87 Operational Report of the Staff 211 BBAD)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

With clarification of the Soviet unit from 5 ShAP to 5 GIAP, I will be rewriting this episode with more details later. Sorry about the discrepancy.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

As promised a revised update.

19 August 1942

At 15:12 (MT) took off LaGG-3 (# 3234) flown by Kapitan Pavel Emel’yanov of 21 IAP as a wingman for two LaGG-3 of 5 GIAP led by Kapitan Laveykin. In the area of Burkovo at 15:30 (MT) at an altitude of 1300 m, they met in battle two Bf 109. A second pair of Bf 109 were seen above at 300-200 m but did not engage. The Soviet pilots reported 1 Me-109 as damaged but Kapitan Emel’yanov was listed as missing after the battle. From the German side, Oberfeldwebel Heinz Klöpper of 11./JG 51 claimed a LaGG-3 (61) at 14:25 at 18 km to the northwest of Rzhev.

At 17:07 (MT) took off LaGG-3 (# 3237) flown by Serzhant Mikhail Mintrakov of 21 IAP as a wingman for 5 LaGG-3 of 5 GIAP in the area of Rzhev. At 5 km northeast of Rzhev at an altitude of 3000 m the Soviet LaGG-3s met in battle with 6 Bf 109. After 5 minutes, another 4 Bf 109 entered into the fight bringing the total to 10 Bf 109. The battle lasted a total of 30 minutes and the altitude fell to an altitude of 1500 m. The Soviet pilots reported damaging 2 Me-109. On returning to the Soviet airfield was missing the LaGG-3 of Serzhant Mintrakov from 21 IAP. Also missing were two LaGG-3 from 5 GIAP flown by Guards Leytenant Dmitriy Shtokolov and Guards Serzhant Ivan Lavrenko (Both of these future Soviet aces would return to their unit on the 20th). From the German side there was only one claim, Gefreiter Erich Hilbein of 8./JG 51 claimed a LaGG-3 (2) at 16:40 in that area. The Germans had no reported damage to their fighters. Unless it was less then 10%. (TsAMO f. 22020, o. 044524, d. 0006, l. 1 page 63 Journal of Combat Operations of 21 IAP and TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0050, l. 111 Operational Report of the Staff 209 IAD)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

19 August 1942
19:35 (MT) above Aleshino 3 Pe-2 from 793 BBAP were attacked by 9 Bf 109, after the first attack the Pe-2 of the leader Starshiy Leytenant Kolesnikov was set on fire, the aircraft with a sharp turn went to the ground, on a course to the east. One from the crew escaped on parachute (this was Kolesnikov) on Soviet territory. The rest of the crew died in the crashing bomber. The wingman Leytenant Dmitriy Avdokhin was attacked simultaneously with Kolesnikov but kept on course to the east with the German fighters pursuing up to Staritsa. The fate of Avdokhin’s Pe-2 was not observed by the surviving Pe-2. From the German side, Unteroffizier Hubert Strassl of 9./JG 51 claimed a Pe-2 (7) at 18:35, Pe-2 (8) at 18:37, Pe-2 (9) at 18:40 and a Pe-2 (10) at 18:41. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0052, l. 97 Operational Report of the Staff 211 BBAD)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

I am starting work on the final day that I will do on this thread.

3 August 1942

Between 05:46 - 07:07 (MT) 9 Pe-2 from 134 BAP bombed at an altitude of 2000 m the concentration of German forces and artillery in the village of Dobraya and the forest, that was 400 m to the southeast of Dobraya. In the target area, according to Soviet aviators attacked 7 Bf 109. The Pe-2 flown by Starshiy Politruk Bykov caught fire, after being damaged by fire of a Bf 109. The Pe-2 came down on its fuselage in the area of Staritsa. From the German side, Oberfeldwebel Georg Seidel of 9./JG 51 claimed a Pe-2 (29) at 06:00. The Soviet fighter escort was engaged in battle during this time. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0070, l. 4 Journal of Combat Operations of the 3 VA and TsAMO f. 311, o. 4495, d. 8, l. 251 Operational Report of the Staff 285 BAD)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

On this day I will be including the Soviet fighter pilots claims, which are far more then the losses listed by the Germans but attempting to link the actual Soviet pilot or pilots to them. Some Soviet reports have no times listed and the Germans having no times listed with their losses doesn’t help. Will start with a continuances from post # 27 concerning the Soviet fighter escort.

3 August 1942

Flying as fighter escort were 4 LaGG-3 from 21 IAP having taken off at 06:20 (MT) to join with their charges. During the mission they were involved in a dogfight with Bf 109 (apparently 9./JG 51) but suffered no losses and made no claims. They finished their mission at 07:20 (MT). (TsAMO f. 22020, o. 0445247, d. 0006, l. 1 Journal of Combat Operations 21 IAP)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

3 August 1942

Between 11:32 - 11:37 (MT) 4 Pe-2 from 205 BAP bombed German forces and artillery at the village of Svin’ino. In the area of Boguslovo, they were attacked by according to Soviet aviators by up to 4-5 Bf 109. From the German side, Hauptmann Joachim Müncheberg of Stab/JG 51 claimed a Pe-2 (84) at 10:32 to the north northeast of Rzhev and another Pe-2 (85) at 10:36 to the north northwest of Rzhev. The Soviets reported the loss of two Pe-2 with the crews of Mladshiy Leytenant Ivan Svidovskiy in the area of Batyuki and Mladshiy Leytenant Aleksey Skobtsov in the area of Voronicheno being listed as missing. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 04495, d. 8, l. 251)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Svidovskiy and Skobtsov

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

3 August 1942

05:20 - 06:40 (MT) 9 Pe-2 from 527 BAP bombed German forces in the area of Rzhev. The Soviet aviators reported being attacked by 6 Bf 109. The Soviet bombers made their withdrawal without suffering losses. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0070, l. 4 Journal of Combat Operations 3 VA)

07:52 - 08:45 (MT) 6 Yak-1 from 812 IAP led by Kapitan Andrey Efremov at an altitude of 2000 m met Bf 109s in a dogfight in the area of Novoye Semenovskoye. The Soviet pilots reported that they were attacked by a group of 12 Bf 109 F and these were joined by a second group of 8 Bf 109 from the direction of Rzhev. The battle lasted for 10 minutes and 4 attacks. At the end of the battle, there were no Soviet losses. The Soviet fighter pilots did have victory claims to report. Kapitan Andrey Efremov claimed a Me-109 (1) and another Me-109 (2). Other victories were made by Serzhant Viktor Baranov claiming a Me-109 (1) and Serzhant N. Matveev claiming a Me-109 (1). The Soviet pilots claimed a surprising 4 Me-109 against overwhelming odds for suffering no losses. From the German side, no losses were recorded in this area and the JG 51 fighters involved can’t be determined. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 4495, d. 8, l. 234 Operational Report of the Staff 263 IAD)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

3 August 1942

At 11:34 (MT) 2 sections (3 Pe-2 each) of the 205 BAP at an altitude of 2000 m bombed a German motor vehicle column on the road Zaprudnovo - Boguslovo - Aleksino. The Soviet bombers suffered no losses and made no mention of attacks by Bf 109. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 4495, d. 8, l. 251 Operational Report of the Staff 285 BAD).

With no time listed for the mission, 7 Pe-2 from 793 BAP bombed Vasyukovo. There was an attack on 4 Pe-2 by 2 Bf 109 but no losses were suffered (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0070, l. 4 Journal of Combat Operations 3 VA)

During this time period Leutnant Johann-Gottlieb Engel of 9./JG 51 was confirmed a Pe-2 (1) at 10:36 as a posthumous victory. This would be his last as he was shot down in an air battle and attempted to make a forced landing in Bf 109 F-2 (# 8229) to the north of Zubtsov, resulting in 100% damage and his death. Engel would be awarded the German Iron Cross 2nd Class for this day.

The victor in the case of Engel is not possible to definitively confirm. Possibly, the victor could be one of the pilots of 5 GIAP but would depend on documents of that regiment.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

3 August 1942

12:50 - 13:50 (MT) 4 LaGG-3 from 21 IAP led by Kapitan Pavel Eml’yanov escorted 5 Pe-2 at an altitude of 2000 m. Kapitan Eml’yanov and his wingman Serzhant Nikolay Kiselev were attacked by a pair of Bf 109 in the area of Rzhev. Serzhant Kiselev’s LaGG-3 went down with the pilot. A dogfight ensued with 6 Bf 109 as the 5 Pe-2 were continued to be covered by the lone LaGG-3 of pilot Semenov. Kapitan Eml’yanov claimed a Me-109 (9) in the area of Manuylovo. Also claiming was Ivan Borodin a Me-109 (4) at Timofeevo. From the German side, Leutnant Benno Gantz of 7./JG 51 claimed a MiG-3 (13) at 12:02. There were no German losses in these areas that can be found in German records. (TsAMO f. 22020, o. 0445247, d. 0006, l. 1 page 42 Journal Of Combat Operations 21 IAP)

This day is far from complete but I will be ending it with this episode. I hope everyone enjoyed and got some use from the information.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Thank You Michael

A very interesting highlight of one month in 1942 covering a small area on this incredibly vast frontline.

At least I have enjoyed it very, very much.

Only wish you would finalise the day in question....

Anyway, thanks again :)

Cheers
Stig

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Michael,
August 3 - in the period 9.00-10.00 two groups of PE-2 128 BAP bombed Rzhev (the five of captain Solopov) and the forest North-East ( flight of Smirnov ?). Just dropped to 6.4 tons of bombs. The first saw 2 Bf-109 near Timofeevo, and the second was attacked by 2 Bf-109 at 9: 30 am - no results.
7 PE-2 793 BAP (squadron Tuzenkevich). 3 PE-2 bombed troops near Vasyukovo (they were covered fighters). 4 PE-2 bombed artillery on the edge of the forest in the area of Bolshoye and Maloye Guzino. Verbatim: "4 PE-2s were attacked by 2 Bf-109s but were driven away by the Hurricanes"
However, the Hurricanes of 157 IAP, that day is not covered PE-2 - they were accompanied by Il-2.

Cover 7 PE-2 in district Rzhev and back in period 12.25-13.45 upstaged 8 (or 7) Yak-1 163 IAP 210 IAD. On a return flight at altitudes of 800-2500 Katyukov, Sharoiko, Arhireev and Gureev conducted air battle 2 km North of Rzhev against 6 Bf-109f. Katyukov and Gureev each said one downed aircrafts that tried to attack their wingmans. Konyahin, Bolshakov and Nikulin were dogfight 1-3 km North-East of Rzhev against 8 Bf-109f. Konyahin attacked from two aircraft from a distance of 100-150 m from the bottom in the back. One of them fell into a chaotic corkscrew. At 13.15 at an altitude of 1500 Nikulin attacked Bf-109f, which came under the tail of the Konyahin; Bf-109 began to descend to the ground and disappeared against the forest.
In the period 12.50-13.50 4 LaGG-3 of 21 IAP covered the work of 5 PE-2 of 527 BAP (komissar of squadron Gorb)

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Michael ('Nokose'), 'Kirche' and Andrey Kuznetsov

Let me add my thanks to what Stig has written. The information on these combats is both very interesting and informative. It really opens up the air war on the Eastern Front for most of us, especially on the Soviet side.

Please keep up the good work !

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Thanks to you too Kirche

Especially the 3rd seems to have been a very busy day indeed

Cheers
Stig

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

I read every word with interest, thank you.

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

At this time of the 3 VA in the air, there was only one PE-2 (pilot Frolov, 527 BAP), which was doing reconnaissance on the route Belyij-Dukhovshchina-Sychevka-Staritsa - 10.10-13.25. The enemy fighters not seen.
1 VA - 204 BAD did not participate.
10 ORAP and 2 DRAP - no loss.

5 GIAP in this time also not was in the air.
But there is a report which most likely relates to one of the casualties of the fighters of JG51 in the day (Georg Seelmann ?):
210 IAD per period 10.30-11.30 - 6 Yak-1 with bombs (leading major Timofey Kobyilochniy, 163 IAP) - cover Il-2 - bombing of German warehouses in Monchalovo. In the area of Pochigaevo met 2 Bf-109f. Major Kobyilochniy attacked wingman's Bf-109 - the attack is seen, the plane went to the right. Kobyilochniy second attack came at a distance of 40 m to the second Bf-109f. With the first shooting lit it - the plane caught fire, the German pilot jumped out with a parachute and went down in the area of Pochigaevo.
http://etomesto.com/map-atlas_osteur...47&y=56.287416

Re: Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov
 

Stig , August 3rd isn't the busiest day... 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10 Aug are the busy days.
Best regards,
Kirill