George E. Preddy's Ju 88 kills
 

Maj. George E. Preddy was credited with 2.5 Junkers Ju 88s destroyed. I've tried finding more details about these kills but they are hardly ever mentioned. Does anybody know:
- in which aircraft these kills were made?
- what kind of Ju 88s these were?
- any specifics about the air battles in which these Ju 88s were downed?

Many thanks!

Re: George E. Preddy's Ju 88 kills
 

By pure fluke I just found a photo showing Preddy holding up four fingers, indicating four Ju 88 claims.
Date: 18 July 1944
Aircraft: Cripes A Mighty 3rd

No details about the engagement itself though...

Re: George E. Preddy's Ju 88 kills
 

Yes, Preddy did claim Ju 88's on July 18th as indicated by his combat report.

However, subsequent research has shown that these aircraft likely were Me 410's. If you refer to JG 300 "Wilde Sau" published by Eagle Editions, you will find an encounter starting on page 234 for July 18th, 1944. The 352nd FG engaged units of JG 300 escorting aircraft from I and II./ZG 26 flying Me 410's that day.

I brought this to the attention of Sam Sox Jr. and the 352nd FG last year when this book was first released. They are in agreement that Preddy likely confused Ju 88's with the Me 410 during this action.

HTH

Mark Proulx

Re: George E. Preddy's Ju 88 kills
 

Thanks Mark!

Does that mean that there are other Ju 88 kills or does it mean Preddy never shot down any Ju 88s? His victories list contains both, it seems.

Re: George E. Preddy's Ju 88 kills
 

The only other Ju 88 credited to Preddy is a shared victory on April 22nd, 1944. He also claimed one Ju 88 on the ground during the same encounter at the A/D at Stade.

HTH

Mark Proulx

Re: George E. Preddy's Ju 88 kills
 

Thanks Mark!

Are there any more details known about this encounter? Who was the second shooter? What kind of Ju 88 was it?

Re: George E. Preddy's Ju 88 kills
 

First, I have to clear up an error from my earlier posting. The ground claim was in fact a Ju 52 that Preddy claimed at an airfield S and E of Stade. He went there after reforming with the squadron after the Stade encounter.

The Ju 88 was shared with Lt. Kessler.

I can't tell you any details of the Ju 88. Perhaps a posting on the Luftwaffe Forum of TOCH would net some answers for you.

Mark Proulx

Re: George E. Preddy's Ju 88 kills
 

Thanks Mark, I'll do that!

Re: George E. Preddy's Ju 88 kills
 

See my reply on the Luftwaffe Forum regarding the 22-April-44 shared Ju-88.

BTW, you are usually better off to post such a question on one or the other forum, not both, unless you do not get any responses.