JG2 losses 20 January 1943
 

In FCWD and JG26 War Diary there is mention of two pilot casualties for their rivals. The latter states a JG2 FW190 went into the channel, and that this unit lost one killed and one wounded on this date, to Typhoons. Kracker lists two wounded in action, Ltn Hans Ebersbach and Fw Robert Hager, both C/L at least one after aerial combat, although both pilots have were awarded a wound badge.

FCWD thinks these JG2 casualties were the result of a combat with 64 Squadron (into the Channel E of Calais at 1700) or 609 Squadron,(into the Channel 15 miles SE of Dover at 1440). Can anyone tell me if they did indeed lose an aircraft in the channel.

regards

Keith

Re: JG2 losses 20 January 1943
 

I have carried out quite a bit of analysis of this day due to the Jabo attack on London. Luftwaffe records confirm the loss of just one ac from I./JG 2 which was lost in direct support of the Jabo mission around lunchtime. This was Fw Josef Bürkel of 3 Staffel and was last seen in combat with fighters north of Calais. Lt Heinz Ebersbach of Stab I was damaged in combat south of Newhaven and crash-landed. Hager was not JG 2 but 8./JG 26 and crash-landed short of fuel. Joe Atkinson of 609 Sqn shot down Fw Alfred Barthel of 5./JG 26 who was on an ASR mission off Calais

Re: JG2 losses 20 January 1943
 

In JFV Vol 10/IV „Einsatz im Westen 1.1. bis 31.12.1943“ are listed:

20.01.43 Stab/JG 2 Lt Heinz Ebersbach (von I./JG 2 kommandiert) verwundet Luftkampf Spitfire südlich Newhaven, Notlandung bei St. Valéry, 100% Fw 190 A-4 5684

20.01.43 3./JG 2 Fw Josel Bürckel + Luftkampf P-51 bei Seenotsuchflug, Absturz über See 20 km nördlich Calais, 10 m Höhe, Flugzeug in der Luft zerplatzt, 100% Fw 190 A-4 5674

Regards
Leo

Re: JG2 losses 20 January 1943
 

Thanks chaps. Interesting. I had Barthel lost to Bob Gouby of 340 Squadron?

According to Kacha Josef Burkel was shot down on 21.01.1943. Misprint?
I am assuming Josef Burkel/Burckel is the same pilot as Bürel, mentioned in Kacha as forced to land in August 1942?

regards

Keith

Re: JG2 losses 20 January 1943
 

It is Bürckel not Bürkel (my mistake). Shot down 20 Jan 43 in a combat at 10m and yes, he was injured in an accident at Triqueville 24 Aug 42 in Fw 190 A-2, 297. Barthel took off at 1408 hrs on an ASR mission for a Fw 190 which had crashed 15 kms north on Calais whilst on a Jabo mission. They failed to find anything but at 1446-1448 hrs they were involved in a combat with "18 Mustangs" during which Barthel was shot down in flames. Joe Atkinson's kill was 1435 hrs 5 miles east of Dover. I have his combat report here somewhere. Gouby's claim was during the Jabo mission

Re: JG2 losses 20 January 1943
 

My 340 link was from JG26 War Diary, further details from FCWD (pt.2) claimed c1300 10m SE Beachy Head or S Dungeness. Your timing of the combat shoots that theory out of the water, Joe Atkinson it is. 64 claims were made around 1700 ("The enemy aircraft caught fire and hit the water about 100 yards off shore ½ mile east of Calais"). Gouby therefore must have claimed Ltn Deziers of SKG 10 (no details).

I have two losses unexplained for this date, Bf 109F-4 Werk # 13101 ObLtn Karl Frenzel-Beyme, Stfkpt Erg/JGr-Ost KIA 20 January, 1943 during aerial combat in Wk# 13101 in Dover-Folkstone area.

Bf 109F-4 Werk # 8523 "Red 22" Ltn Eberhard Dau 2/JGr-Süd MIA 20 January, 1943; failed to return from a mission over London.

Although I believe Dau might have been lost a day later.

Re: JG2 losses 20 January 1943
 

Keith

SKG 10 did not commence missions over UK until March 1943. Frenzel-Beyme was St Kap of 3/JGr Ost and Dau was Jabostaffel/JGr Süd. They were two of 10 aircraft briefed to carry out a diversionary attack on Tunbridge Wells which 9 or them did at 1241 hrs (they actually attacked Wadhurst). On the way out, ay 1249 hrs they were bounced by 11 Spitfires south of Hastings at 500 metres altitude. Only Bf 109 claims in that location around that time were 91 Sqn, 340 Sqn, 611 Sqn & Biggin Hill Wg

Re: JG2 losses 20 January 1943
 

Gen.Qu. loss report from 25 January 1943:
Loss date illegibly Eins. Jabo-Staffel Süd Feindflug Ort und Ursache: Unbekannt. Bf 109 F-4 8623 rote 23 100%. Lt Eberhard Dan vermisst.

The Bf 109 F-4 8523 (Lt Dietrich Kasten, 8./JG 53) was lost on 28 January 1942, ditching in sea after engine trouble off the southwestcoast of Sicily, 100%, pilot safe.

JFV Vol. 10/IV:
20.01.43 5./JG 26 Fw Alfred Barthel + Luftkampf Jäger, über dem Kanal, 100% Fw 190 A-4 2460 schwarze 5
20.01.43 8./JG 26 Uffz Robert Hager verletzt Spritmangel, Bauchlandung, Überschlag, Calais-Marck, 13.28 Uhr, 30% Fw 190 A-4 7102 schwarze 4

Regards
Leo