Crash of Ar 234 B W.Nr. 140104 on 18 Dec. 1944?
 

Good afternoon,

According to Smith & Creek, Arado 234 Blitz: Monogram Monarch - 1, (1992), p. 252:

"140104
Ar 234 S4, GM+BD, … destroyed on December 18, 1944, while attempting a landing in bad weather."

Can anyone confirm this crash and have further information of the unit? markings? pilot?

Thanks in advance,

Jim

Re: Crash of Ar 234 B W.Nr. 140104 on 18 Dec. 1944?
 

Probably not much help, but from Lufthart publication, last recorded flight nr 28 at Rechlin on 11/10/44, pilot Frach on Eigenshaften (quality check?). Smith and Creek have her at KG76, crashed 18/12/44.

No other info I,m afraid, regards, Chris

Re: Crash of Ar 234 B W.Nr. 140104 on 18 Dec. 1944?
 

Thank you, Chris, for contributing the Rechlin piece to the puzzle. Jan Horn, KG 76: Die Chronik des Kampfgeschwaders 76 im Zeitraum 01.01.1944 bis 08.05.1945, (2019), makes no reference to W.Nr. 140104 nor the incident on 18 December. This is why I am asking for confirmation of Smith and Creek's notation.

Thank you again,

Jim

Re: Crash of Ar 234 B W.Nr. 140104 on 18 Dec. 1944?
 

Jim,

Following on from Chris' notes Griehl "Strahlflugzeug Arado 234 "Blitz" has the following regarding Ar 234B-0 (140104)

08.08.44 2 Flug
18.12.44 Zestört bei Landung (KG 76?)

Note ? following KG 76

Beyond that I could not find any reference to 140104 in the main text of the book relating to KG 76.

Re: Crash of Ar 234 B W.Nr. 140104 on 18 Dec. 1944?
 

Thank you, Andy! That seems to confirm that an incident occurred on 18 December and the question mark shows Griehl's need for confirmation. The absence of "any reference to 140104 in the main text of the book relating to KG 76" along with Jan Horn's silence makes me wonder on what evidence Smith & Creek based their comment.

Thank you,

Jim