Fate of a Ju88 of KG26 July/August '44
 

Hello. I'm looking for information about a Ju88 of III.KG26 which disappeared in the night of 31st. July to 1st. of August in 1944, possible around Ibiza (Spain).

Ju88 with 'Zulassungsnummer' (registration) 1H+FT
Crew:
Uffz. Berhard Oehl
Uffz. Karl-Heinz Ugrics
Obgefr. Hans Hohnke
Gefr. Manfred Erlen

As far as my research goes, their mission was to attack an American convoy near Algiers.
I have Uffz. Oehl's Flugbuch (flight log), which states they started at 2235 on 31. July at Garons in southern France. The aircraft did not return.
The body of the pilot, Uffz. Ugrics, was eventually found near Ibiza and was buried there. The other crew members remain missing.

All information regarding this aircraft and fate of the crew would be very helpful.
Thanks!

Re: Fate of a Ju88 of KG26 July/August '44
 

Hello Morrow,

torpedo aircraft of Fliegerdivision 2 were active during night 31 july to 1 august 1944 against convoy UGS-48 before north african coast.
The 1H+FT WNr. 801595 disappeared during this mission and only the body of the pilot Uffz. Karl Heinz Ugries was found by spanish fishermen.

Claude

Re: Fate of a Ju88 of KG26 July/August '44
 

Just a little complement of informations : the exact names seems to be
Uffz. Karl Heinz Ugries pilot
Uffz. Bernhard Oehl observer
Ogefr. Johannes Hohnke radio
Gefr. Manfred Erler gunner

May I ask you if Bernhard Oehl participated in other missions during the months of june and july 1944 ?

Regards

Claude

Re: Fate of a Ju88 of KG26 July/August '44
 

Thank you Claude!
I'm very certain the pilots name is Ugrics. I have several documents with his name with a 'c' in it.

Regarding Uffz. Oehl's missions in June and July 1944:
From 24th of May until 13th of June Uffz. Ugrics and Uffz. Oehl were at Riga-Spilve flying several Ju88s:
A8+HH, A8+AH, A8+DH, A8+FH, A8+IH, A8+KH, A8+RH, A8+GH, A8+LN, A8+BH
They were training landing and takeoff ("Übungsanflug" etc.) until 29th of May, but from 30th May until 13th of June there are some entries "Einzelschuss", "Fächerschuss", "Verbandsangriff", "Beleuchterschuss".

Later from 22nd of June: Entry "Fu.-Ge. 200", Ju52 NP+YN, Dievenow (now Dziwnów), with Uffz. Ehler
26th: "Fu.-Ge. 200", Ju52 RM+ZT, trip to Rönne-Bornholm and back to Dievenow, with Ofw. Kleinke.
27th: "Fu.-Ge. 200", Ju52 RM+ZT, Dievenow, with Fw. Riemenshnitter.
28th: "Taktik 200", He111 VG+IZ, Dievenow, with Ofw. Bundrock.
I assume those were training.

From 1st of July until the 5th Uffz. Ugrics and Uffz. Oehl were (back) at Kolberg (now Kołobrzeg) with Ju88s 1H+AW, 1H+CW, 1H+EW, 1H+AU.
Flugbuch says "Nachtplatzflug" on every day, but also "U-Geleitangriff" on the 4th and 5th (1H+AU), with trip to Groß Schiemanen (now Szymanki) and back to Kolberg, and later that day "Nachtseetiefflug" (1H+AW).

Next entry is from 29th of July, Uffz. Ugrics and Uffz. Oehl with Ju88 1H+IS "Küstenflug" from Garons to Montpellier (140km) and back to Garons (620km).

Last entry (my OP):
31st of July, Ju88 1H+FT, "Feindflug" from Garons at 2235. Comment written "Einsatz gegen nordamerikan. Großgeleit an d. nordafrik. Küste".

If you need more details or a certain day, let me know. The log starts on 8th of March 1943.

Re: Fate of a Ju88 of KG26 July/August '44
 

Thanks Morrow !

so it was his first offensive mission !

Concerning the name (UGRICS or UGRIES) you are true ; my copy of the NVM is not a very good one but on the net you can find a picture of his gravestone at Ibiza and it is clearly UGRICS.

Regards

Claude

Re: Fate of a Ju88 of KG26 July/August '44
 

Attached is a picture of the last crew of 1H+FT.
Pictured from left to right:
Uffz. Karl-Heinz Ugrics
Uffz. Berhard "Bernd" Oehl
OGefr. Johannes "Hans" Hohnke
Gefr. Manfred Erler

Re: Fate of a Ju88 of KG26 July/August '44
 

hello morrow,

i cannot send you a private message?!? maybe you can contact me via altetanteju at gmx.de?

all the best
jim