JG54 losses, 7.3.43, South of Staraya Russa
 

Hallo gentlemen.

I cannot find any JG54 losses on 7 march 1943.

G.Rosipal's list contain losses on 6th march, and then - only on 10th march, so no losses on 7-9...

At least 1 "Bf109" was shot down and bellylanded behind frontline, pilot stated as captured.

Could it be Uffz. (Adolf?) Kunzel, who claimed 1 Il-2 on that day?

Any help?

Re: JG54 losses, 7.3.43, South of Staraya Russa
 

Addition:

Il-2 from 800 shap claimed 3 Bf109 shot down (1 belly-landed with emprisoned pilot).

I./JG54 + 5./JG54 claimed 14 Il-2, actual losses of 800 shap + 673 shap were 11 Il-2 (10 crews).

Re: JG54 losses, 7.3.43, South of Staraya Russa
 

It looks like 1./JG 26 also claimed 4 Il-2 in the same combat.

Re: JG54 losses, 7.3.43, South of Staraya Russa
 

Oh yes, I forgot 4 claims of Hptm. Walter Hoeckner.

So, 18 claims to 11 losses.

Re: JG54 losses, 7.3.43, South of Staraya Russa
 

Dear Jevgeny,

in our records there are no losses of JG 54 on March 7th, 1943; Uffz. Adolf Kuzel was definitely not shot down and captured on that day as he filed a claim on July 20th, 1943.

As for the number of German claims - I have 1 for Stab/JG 54 ( Il 2 ), 30 for I./JG 54 (16 Il 2), 13 for II./JG 54 ( 4 Il 2 ), 9 for I./JG 26 ( 5 Il 2 ) and 4 for 7./JG 26 ( 2 Il 2 ). For details wait for JFV 12/III.

There are only two Fw 190s listed as damaged on this date - an a/c of I./JG 26 was damaged in a landing accident and an a/c of 7./JG 26 had to b/l owing to battle damage, damage assessed as only 10 %. No JG 54 or 26 pilot being reported lost on that date.

Regards

Jochen Prien

Re: JG54 losses, 7.3.43, South of Staraya Russa
 

Vielen Danke, Herr Prien!

673 shap was led by Major Kozlov (killed), commander of regiment.
800 shap was led by Major Rusakov (very expirienced Il-2 pilot), navigations officer of regiment. He was also killed in initial attack of german fighters.