Captured Ju 88 Ju-188D-1, W.Nr.0579, ex 8H-OH of 1/AufklGr33
 

Hello,

Is anything known about the captured Ju-188D-1, W.nr.0579, ex 8H-OH of 1/AufklGr33. A photo can be found at LEMB.

Where was it captured? And what happened to it?

Regards
Roger

Re: Captured Ju 88 Ju-188D-1, W.Nr.0579, ex 8H-OH of 1/AufklGr33
 

Good question. Ju 188 D-2 0579 8H+OH (likely W.Nr. 150579) was captured (if I remember correctly) in North-Germany (Leck) but likely suffered gear collapse on taxying. It is partly covered in book "Warprises" by Phil Butler (and abowe image is published there too). Two more images of this same aircraft appeared recently on eBay, and they show it was gutted and looted at that very spot shown pictured in abowe thread (i.e. not repaired). This same code and W.Nr. were used on the Matchbox 1:72 Ju 188 F-1 kit.

Re: Captured Ju 88 Ju-188D-1, W.Nr.0579, ex 8H-OH of 1/AufklGr33
 

Well spotted Ed

In War Prizes this 188 is not even labelled and not in the index even though it's photo appears on page 141. If anything the book comes out short with regard to Allied use of Axis aircraft not officially accepted by the Allies...

Cheers
Stig

Re: Captured Ju 88 Ju-188D-1, W.Nr.0579, ex 8H-OH of 1/AufklGr33
 

Hi Ed,

Thanks a lot for the additional information. Can you confirm that it was at Leck where it was found?

Do you know why it is known that it was 8H+OH even though no markings can be seen? My guess is that the markings were overpainted by its winter tiger camouflage (?).

Thanks,
Roger

Re: Captured Ju 88 Ju-188D-1, W.Nr.0579, ex 8H-OH of 1/AufklGr33
 

Hi Roger, No, sorry, location shall considered my speculation only. The notes I have seen regarding this aircraft say RAF Celle but list of aircraft found there do not list this number found there. So Leck is perhaps wrong guess. It may have been captured elsewhere and then taken to Celle? This ´8H+OH 0579´ (?) still remains to be confirmed, but according to my notes and files, only one Ju 188 block carried these ´last four´ and matching factory was 15xxxx and this was then D-2 version. Camouflage on abowe pictured aircraft is said same as 1.(F)/33 used but this unit was in Denmark or North-Germany in late April 45. All photographs, notes and partial fuselage numbers seem to indicate this was possibly the abowe mentioned aircraft - but one aircraft number recorded found at Celle could possibly match.

Stig, certainly many Luftwaffe aircraft were captured by forward units but when the paperwork (reports written) was done, they had either been dumped or looted by subsequent units/troops. Also must of the paperwork done then, was not kept after their destruction (or incorrectly filed and remains to be found).

I might add one speculation on the periods still missing from the Ge.Qu. 6.Abt. losses now under restoration at the BA-MA. These are the period in the west, spring and into summer 1940 (i.e. Invasion of France), and again from early 1944 (certainly around the Invasion of France in June 1944). Were they lost while passing thrugh (micro-filming) in Paris after the war?

Best regards
ed

Re: Captured Ju 88 Ju-188D-1, W.Nr.0579, ex 8H-OH of 1/AufklGr33
 

Grove/DK may well have been the place of capture of this Ju 188. 1(F)/33 transfered to Grove in April 1945 with 4 Ar 234 and one Ju 188. I hav'nt been able to locate the Ju 188 in the junk pile in Grove 1946. And it was the only one of its type to be found in Grove.

Junker

Re: Captured Ju 88 Ju-188D-1, W.Nr.0579, ex 8H-OH of 1/AufklGr33
 

Please see attached picture of 8H +OH taken from an old copy of AIRCRAFT ILLUSTRATED magazine . If my memory serves me right this photo was taken at Grove AD in Denmark Trevor.

Re: Captured Ju 88 Ju-188D-1, W.Nr.0579, ex 8H-OH of 1/AufklGr33
 

Ah, must dig better into my old stocks... Seems possible there is a match in the striped camouflage (where are the fingerprint experts, certainly could use their technique now in comparing the free applied stripes!)

Re: Captured Ju 88 Ju-188D-1, W.Nr.0579, ex 8H-OH of 1/AufklGr33
 

For the ones still interested: Here's another shot of 8H+OH; low quality but showing the starboard side. Note the Tempest in the background, maybe this is of help.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...mage0015-1.jpg

Source: Jet&Prop Foto-Archiv 6

Cheers,
Christian

Re: Captured Ju 88 Ju-188D-1, W.Nr.0579, ex 8H-OH of 1/AufklGr33
 

Thanks Christian. Much appreciated.