KüGr 506 losses over North Sea, 1941-1942
 

Hello, I have in my database a number of losses for KüGr 506 in 1941-1942 with no other indications that in each case a Ju 88 and its whole crew of the unit was lost over or around North Sea (source: the bomber loss list at http://www.rafandluftwaffe.info/luftwaffe1.html)

In most of the cases of the above list for other units, I have been able to fill the missing details, but I have nothing on this unit, so if the forum members who have extended loss lists may complete the following list, I will one again be very thankfull.

Here is the list:
18 July 1941: one loss of 1./KüGr 506
2 August 1941: one loss of 1./KüGr 506
29 December 1941: one loss of 1./KüGr 506
1 April 1942: one loss of 3./KüGr 506
26 April 1942: one loss of 1./KüGr 506
20 May 1942: two losses of 1./KüGr 506

Thanks in advance

Laurent

Re: KüGr 506 losses over North Sea, 1941-1942
 

Laurent,
I think you will find that the first date should read 14 July 1941 (not 18 July 1941). Ju88A-1 (S4+HH;wnr 0717) of 1/.KüFlGr.506. Hit by AA fire. Crashed in flames, Lauriston, nr Montrose, Scotland at 1600hrs. Lt z See E. Becker(BO), Uffz. G. Gebauer (FF), Obgfr, Fritz Föse (BF), Uffz H. Steggmann all killed.

2 Aug. 1941. Ju88 (S4+LH;wnr.723) KüFlGr. 1./506. Shot down 60miles off Flamborough Head by two Spitfires of No.129(Mysore)Sqd at 1605hrs. Three killed and one missing: Fw Alfons Eckhardt (FF), Ltn z See Ernst Rupp (BO) missing, Obgfr. Andreas Zanussi (BF), Fw Hans Braun (BS).

29 Dec. 1941. Ju88D-1 (S4+LH; wnr.1341) of 1./KüFlGr.506 shot down off Cresswell, Northumberland at 2110hrs by two Beaufighters of No.406 Sqdn.Fw Walter Tschorn (FF), Ltn z See Heinrich Fleck (BO), Uffz Rudolf Hermann (BF), Uffz Axel Reckweg (BS). All missing.

Bill Norman (www.billnorman.co.uk)

Re: KüGr 506 losses over North Sea, 1941-1942
 

Thanks Bill

Regarding the loss on 14/18 July, the above source lists two losses, one on each day, and I found the same details as you for the one on the 14th.

But it is probable that the 18 July "loss" is a duplicate as you say.

Re: KüGr 506 losses over North Sea, 1941-1942
 

Hi.

29 December 1941: one loss of 1./KüGr 506
http://www.aviationhistory.no/ref_db...?lossid=157683

1 April 1942: one loss of 3./KüGr 506
http://www.aviationhistory.no/ref_db...?lossid=154217

26 April 1942: one loss of 1./KüGr 506
(I only have a loss for 25.4.1942 - none for 26.4.1942)
http://www.aviationhistory.no/ref_db...?lossid=153329

20 May 1942: two losses of 1./KüGr 506
http://www.aviationhistory.no/ref_db...?lossid=152374
http://www.aviationhistory.no/ref_db...?lossid=152493
http://www.aviationhistory.no/ref_db...?lossid=152494


Regards,
Andreas B

Re: KüGr 506 losses over North Sea, 1941-1942
 

Laurent,
Sorry, I don't have the KTB page for 18 July 1941 so I cannot comment.
Andreas,
Are you sure about the names you list for December 1941? I took mine from the KTB.

Bill Norman (www.billnorman.co.uk)

Re: KüGr 506 losses over North Sea, 1941-1942
 

Hi, Bill

No, I am not sure :) (and I did not record this loss myself - done by others in my team). The proofreading for the period July 1941 through December 1941 is still not fully complete.

These are from the GenQu listings, which in periods are not perfectly readable.

Your names are probably more correct.

I have double checked the GenQu list now, and still read Flick (not Fleck), Hormann (not Hermann), Rockweg (not Reckweg), but Thora was a typo for Thorn.

Will update my records on these, which KTB did you take this from?

Regards,
Andreas B

Re: KüGr 506 losses over North Sea, 1941-1942
 

Andreas,
The info is from the Gruppe KTB (not the Staffel KTB).

Bill Norman (www.billnorman.co.uk)

Re: KüGr 506 losses over North Sea, 1941-1942
 

On 17. July 1941 three Ju 88's of 1./506 took off from Westerland on Sylt between 20.48 and 20.51. Their task was armed recce off the east coast of UK between Montrose and Kinnaird Head. The first aircraft broke off the sortie in Pl.Qu. 2717/15 West at 23.10. as they did not find sufficient cloud cover, The second aircraft attacked a steamer in Pl.Qu. 2716/15 West at 23.45. First bomb fell short but the second was claimed to hit the deck of the wessel. Detonation observed. Strong AA fire exprienced.
The third aircraft (code not known to me) was Ju 88D-1 W.Nr. 704 with the following crew:
Beobachter Lt.z.See Gerhard Sieber, pilot Oblt. Josef Piontek, W/O Hpt.Gefr. Paul Friedrich and Mech. Gefr. Hans Schmid.
This aircraft made a forced landing in Pl.Qu. 2733/15 West at 23.18.
Smoke from the port engine was observed from another aircraft shortly before they attacked with bombs. The plane cut into the water but crewmembers were observed swimming near a dinghy. Due to enemy fire aircraft no. 2 left the area after giving the position of aircraft no.3 over international radio.
Aircraft no.1 and 2 landed in Westerland at 01.20 and 2.00 on the 18.7.41.
References:
KTB F.d.L. West for 15.7.41 - 31.7.41.
KTB Gen.d.Lw.b.Ob.d.M. for July 1941
KTB Gen.d.Lw.B.Ob.d.M./O.Qu. for July 1941.

Re: KüGr 506 losses over North Sea, 1941-1942
 

@ all. A little proof reading guys, proper Ju 88 designations seem askew, no offence meant. Excellent details provided and interesting, as subject of land based Ju 88 Kustenfliegergruppen losses or operations is seldom discussed.

Basically, The Ju 88 aircraft with W.Nr. 7xx (i.e. 08807xx) be A-5, A-5 F or D-2 (Jumo 211 G engines) not A-1 or D-1 (Jumo 211 B ~ Jumo 211 F/J) but A-4 / D-1 is correct designation when over W.Nr. 1001 (i.e. over 0881001). W.Nr. 717 is suspect, as another A-5 0717 is reported later (1943 with a recce unit) but not known yet which one is "the error" (and third reference is at hand but struck out as error). For 17.07.1941 GQM lists give S4+BH 704 (then A-5 or A-5 F but likely not D-2).

On subject A-5 ~ A-5 F ~ D-2 this I have found be inconsistent. Photos of some reported D-2 W.Nr. have better appearance of A-5 F or plain A-5 Dive-Bomber, so possibly upraded to D-2 Horizontal Recce later <this perhaps is paper designation, given retrospectevely, after repairs/overhaul/upgrades, as production wise likely none under 0765 be D-2 version as delivered ex-factory, and this designation beeing "official" from 15.03.1941, after some had been assembled>, but some A-5 Recce retained dive-brakes (when supposably them should have been omitted) despite having cameras built into rear bay. Ah.. so much to learn.

references: own research

regards
ed

Re: KüGr 506 losses over North Sea, 1941-1942
 

I am almost one year late... but thanks to all who replied to this thread.

Laurent