Ju88 loss - 6th July 1944.
 

Hello all.

Can anyone please help with the following loss?

During the night of the 6th of July 1944 several aircraft belonging to 5./KG26 were lost over the invasion area.I have information to suggest that at least one - Ju88 - came down in the sea approx. 30km south of the island of Jersey.Cause unknown (nightfighter?).

The pilot was Oblt. Waldemar Gebhardt and he may, at one point, have made it to a life raft! I believe he and the rest of the crew were never found. I have a list of 13 crew from 5./KG26 that went missing on that night and would like to match them to each aircraft if possible.

Also, I would be grateful for any info re allied nightfighter claims for Ju88s made on that particular night in the vicinity of the Channel Islands or over the adjacent French coast!

Thanks for any help.

Steve.

Re: Ju88 loss - 6th July 1944.
 

Steve

I might have the NVM at home-you are obviously going off the KG 26 book. Get back to you tonight

Re: Ju88 loss - 6th July 1944.
 

It would appear that Gebhardt was the only casualty of Wk Nr 550786/1H+LN

Re: Ju88 loss - 6th July 1944.
 

Thanks Chris.

The reason I am asking for more info is because of the attached ULTRA de-crypt kindly sent to me by a fellow forum user, Remi. You can see that the message refers to Pilot Obltn.Gebhard (sic) being in a rubber dinghy and also contains a request for a search for that missing a/c!

Again I would like to know the cause of the loss and if due to combat, who was responsible?

Source for crew names here http://www.absa39-45.asso.fr/formula...ase_pertes.PHP

Thanks.....Steve.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1.../de-crypt1.jpg

Re: Ju88 loss - 6th July 1944.
 

Steve: I am away on business until after the weekend but will try to have a look. However, tying losses to claims over Normandy at this time is very hard with any degree of certainty. However, all I can say if that the NVM for this ac only listed one name-Gebhardt's

Re: Ju88 loss - 6th July 1944.
 

Cheers Chris.

Because I have 13 names listed as missing and bearing in mind the JU88 had a crew of 4 then this makes sense. Gebhardt being the only loss from his a/c?

Steve.

Re: Ju88 loss - 6th July 1944.
 

Other losses were Wolf, Kraus, Beinfuhr, Gross-5 Staffel; Ruoff, Wilkening, Nolde, Lehnkuhl-6 Staffel. Traub crew reported in the KG 26 book was 17/18 Jul 44!

As to NF claims, it looksmore likely other causes like Flak