I./KG55 15.Nov.1943 Crimea
 

Hello, friends!

From Pawel Burchard's interesting website:
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Leutl, Hans Ofw. 1./K.G. 55, O.U. den 5.4.1944
Besondere Vorkommnisse in der Zeit 18.2.1942 bis 4.4.1944:
...
Kampfeinsatz am 15.11.1943 auf Jenikali von Sarabus
Der linke Motor von der G1+DL mit Fw. Hillebrand wurde durch Jäger in Brand geschossen. Dadurch scherte er aus dem Verband. Ich hing mich bei ihm an. 4 Mann sprangen mit dem Fallschrim ab. Fw. Hillebrand wollte die brennende Maschine noch landen. Er fand dabei den Heldentod. Ich landete an der Bruchstelle um die geretteten Besatzungsmitglieder aufzunehmen.
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http://www.yogysoft.de/pawel/bericht_leutl.html

So, He111 G1+DL was downed by fighters. But...
In KTB I./KG55 that raid is mentioned, but nothing about losses. And what is more, no Soviet fighters claims for 2-Mot.Bombers.
8 Yak-1 (42.GIAP) were in unsuccessful fight with He111 formation returning from that raid. The sole AA claim for 2-Mot.Bomber was about Do 217M-1 from 1.Nachtaufkl.St. (Bordfunker Uffz Kurt Sprang became a POW), downed over Kossa Tuzla at night 14/15.11.43.

It seems the date in Leutl's report is incorrect. Who know, when Fw. Hillebrand's aircraft was downed?

Best regards,
Andrey

Re: I./KG55 15.Nov.1943 Crimea
 

The date given in the KG55 book by Wolfgang Dierich is 25-11-1943 and this is also given as the loss date in GQM report of 2-12-1943,

Regards

Brian Bines

Re: I./KG55 15.Nov.1943 Crimea
 

Oops!

Thank you, Brian!
I didn't look further in Dierich's book :-(

Andrey.

Re: I./KG55 15.Nov.1943 Crimea
 

Is this the machine you're looking for? The date is different.

He 111H-16, 160971, Hillebrandt, Fw. Willi, , I., 3., KG 55, , , , , 25-Nov-43, KIA due to enemy fighters. Rest of crew WIA., , Lfl.4/Eins.Osten, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #12)-Vol.23, , PlQu. 66 851, 100%, F, B Fw. Anton Langeder, Bf Ofw. Karl Deutsch, Bm Ogefr. Dietrich Stier & Bs Ogefr. Johann Muntert, ,

Re: I./KG55 15.Nov.1943 Crimea
 

Thank you, Jim!

Yes, the loss of 25-Nov-43 is known. I erroneously thought that the case in Leutl's report, dated as 15-Nov-43, was another loss.

By the way, does the exact time of losses 25-Nov-43 known? (From NVM or other sources)?

Best regards,
Andrey

Re: I./KG55 15.Nov.1943 Crimea
 

Possibly in the NVM/WASt - I do not have that particular report. My data is from the Gen.Qu. reports. Perhaps Matti Salonen does?

Re: I./KG55 15.Nov.1943 Crimea
 

NVM gives Hillebrand, Langeder, Deutsch, Stiers and Munzert. Unfortunately time is not given.

Matti

Re: I./KG55 15.Nov.1943 Crimea
 

Thank you, Matti!

It was at forenoon. German ground forces documents give nothing about it too. Soviet fighters made several claims within 2 hours. So, exact time still unknown.

Does the NVM documents available now for public?

Best regards,
Andrey