Technical problems with Fw 190F-8 in autumn 1944
 

Gentlemen,

Looking at the loss lists of SG 3 and SG 4, especially in autumn 1944, one can wonder what the hell was going on with their Fw190F-8s from the technical point of view. Roughly about 50% of the loss causes and may be more - Technische Ma:ngel/Sto:rung. This is unusual for the rest of LW loss statistics and I don't recall any specific accounts about technical problems of this ac type.

Any ideas?

Re: Technical problems with Fw 190F-8 in autumn 1944
 

Hello!

Fuel deficiency may have been factor? IIRC at some point of time Summer/Autumn 1944 test flights were not allowed in LFl 1 because fuel reserves were so low. Take off with full mission weight with untested aircraft after repair/overhaul is risky business.

I wonder if III/SG4 war diary casts any light on this issue?

Fuel deficiency was caused by transportation problems, Soviet operation Bagration cut Baltic area off the rest of German forces. In August there was also lack of bombs, too. At least for NSGr 11.


Cheers,
Kari

Re: Technical problems with Fw 190F-8 in autumn 1944
 

As the war progressed, the quality of German factory production was decreasing, as:

_ skilled workers were drafted and replaced by hastily trained women, forced workers from all Europe, prisoners of war or even concentration camp imnates (a good part of them ending there because they joined resistance movements in their countries), so loss of skill, motivation and even higher risk of sabotage.

_ factories were scattered into caves and so on. Production means were probably transferred before testing means.

_ despite all this, production was increased.

_ last, German pilot training was also worst than before. A trained driver will use better his car, and so have less mechanical problems, and I think it will be the same with an aircraft pilot.

Re: Technical problems with Fw 190F-8 in autumn 1944
 

There was not only a lack of fuel. Also the quality of fuel suffered under the davastations in the german fuel-industry.

The source is a report on DB605-Sondernotleistungen (special WEP) dated 20.01.1945. Mentioned is only B4 fuel, but I think it is highly probable that C3 had similar problems.

Re: Technical problems with Fw 190F-8 in autumn 1944
 

Ok, but comparing with I. and II./JG 54 and III./JG 51 - they had no such problems at all, acting on the very same front sector with the same supply. I don't think TagJagd and Schlacht units were supplied in such a different way.

By the moment I see only an a/c type, F-8 (built on Arado plant in Warnemunde and Dornier plant in Wiesmar), as the reason for this, or it can be an area to speculate/research further. :(

Re: Technical problems with Fw 190F-8 in autumn 1944
 

At least for SG3 it was a new plane type, after reequipment from Ju-87. It could cause the problem for the pilots as well for technical personal. IIRC the technical staff was already reduced at that time.
For the SG4 it was a new theater of operation after Italy and France, maybe some adaption problem