17.12.1943 IV./JG 27
 

Dear All.

Accordig to Prien, on 17.12.1943 the IV./JG 27 had two combats.

In the morning, 4 Me 109s clashed around Cape Rodonit with 5 Spitfire and lost 3 Me 109s G-6.

In the afternoon, at about 15:00, 4 Me 109s fought with P 47s of the 57th FG near Metkovic and lost 2 Me 109s G-6 (the Americans claimed 3 Me 109s).

Do you know who claimed the 3 Me-109s in the first combat?

Best regards.

Marco

Re: 17.12.1943 IV./JG 27
 

Hallo Marco,

Frank Olynyk in his "USAAF (Mediterranean Theater) Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft in Air-to-Air Combat World War 2" only lists the evening combat. The only other USAAF claim that day was for a Ju 88 damaged by the 350th FG. The morning combat must have been with the RAF ?

Hope this helps,

Martin Gleeson.

Re: 17.12.1943 IV./JG 27
 

Marco,
Between 0745 and 1100, 249 Sqn claimed 2 Me-109s at the river mouth near Rozge, as squadron victories (individual credits not given). At 0950, F/Lt WE Schrader (RNAZF) of 1435 Sqn claimed 2 Me-109s in the Gulf of Drin. At 1000, S/Ldr R Webb (RNZAF) and F/Sgt ASP Butler each claimed a Me-109, also in the Gulf of Drin.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: 17.12.1943 IV./JG 27
 

Hallo Martin and Frank,

thank you very much for the quick reply and the very useful info.

Best regards.

Marco

Re: 17.12.1943 IV./JG 27
 

Hi,
according to "249 at War" by Brian Cull pp 176 249 did not make any claims on this day!

The 2 109's claimed initially were by 2 pilots from 1435 Squadron and seem probably to have been Lt.Holgar Lumerding in Bf.109G-2 (14188) and Fhr.Friedrich Thiel in Bf.109G-6 (140248) both of 10/JG27 both who were lost over Cape Rodoni.

A further 2 more 109's were claimed by1435 Squadron pilots shortly after this action.

Also on this date 3 more JG27 pilotts were lost :-

Hpt Joachim Kirschner of Stab.IV/JG27
Lt.Rolf Hiessler of II/JG27
Uffz.Rolf Andre of I/JG27

however these 3 were noted as lost over the Balkans and were likely the victims of the 57th FG

Cheers

Bruce Lander

Re: 17.12.1943 IV./JG 27
 

Hi,

correction - Andre was of II/JG27

Cheers

Bruce Lander