Attack on Krasnogwardeisk a/f on April 13th, 1943
 

Gentlemen,

in the late afternoon of April 13th, 1943 the Luftwaffe claimed a total of 11 Pe 2 shot down in the area south and southwest of Leningrad - 8 by fighters, 3 by Flak -, the Russian bombers apparently belonging to a formation sent out to bomb Krasongwardeisk a/f where in fact one Fw 190 of 2./JG 54 suffered bomb damage.

Can anybody out there fill me in what actually happened ? Were the a/m claims really connected to the attack on Krasnogwardeisk a/f ? Any clue would be most welcome.

Regards

Jochen Prien

Re: Attack on Krasnogwardeisk a/f on April 13th, 1943
 

Hello Mr. Prien,

it is well researched case of 34 guard bomber regiment.

Third sortie between 18:00 and 19:05(Moskau time), 7 Pe-2 take off, one returns due technical problem. Target Krasnogvardejskoe. Escort of 8 Yak-7 from 29 guard fighter regiment loss contact with the bomber after AAA fired. Already before target was arrived, the bomber were attacked by 6 FW-190 and loss two Pe-2. Four plane under german attacks laid down bombs at 18:37 on the air field. Another 3 planes were shot down by fighters, 1 damaged and make emergency landing.

Best regards,

Re: Attack on Krasnogwardeisk a/f on April 13th, 1943
 

Dear Igor,

many thanks, that is exactly what I needed and it confirms the overall picture of the events shown from the German sources, albeit claims are and losses do not match as usual.

I may come back with more questions if you allow.

Regards

Jochen Prien

Re: Attack on Krasnogwardeisk a/f on April 13th, 1943
 

I don't have the complete losses for the VVS KBF (Red Baltic Fleet) but here is what I have maybe someone can fill in the rest. These are only the KIA and MIA.

73 BAP KBF
Pe-2 (2 AE) Serzh. M. S. Gladyshev (KIA) AAA SW of Gantulovo
Pe-2 (4 AE) St. Serzh. P.I. Krysa (KIA) AAA near Bezzabotnoe

Pe-2 (1 AE) St. Lt. Mikhail Semenovich Smirnov (KIA - air battle) near Uzigont

Best Regards,
Michael

Re: Attack on Krasnogwardeisk a/f on April 13th, 1943
 

From the www.allaces.ru which isn't always complete with all the facts from the source it looks like the 73 BAP KBF raid was around 16:40 (Moscow). Under escort from 6 La-5 from the 4 GIAP KBF. It mentions two attacks on the Pe-2. At least one La-5 shot down but they claim 3 FW 190.