JG 27 actions on 27 July 1944 / France
 

Hi !

Concerning JG 27 on 27 July 1944, I will need two important information:

1- This unit changed its base from Varades (W. of Angers) to Champfleury :
Where is located this last airfield ? Which "Champfleury" ?

2- It seems that this unit had 2 a/c collided (mid air collision) on that day : who could confirm or infirm this information?

Thank you

Phil.

Re: JG 27 actions on 27 July 1944 / France
 

On 27/07/44 a Bf109G of 11.JG27 made an air collision with...?? nd crashed betw. Granville nd avranches so really far from Angers

rt

Re: JG 27 actions on 27 July 1944 / France
 

In fact, there are two places named "Champfleury" in East of France : in the "département de la Marne" (51) and in the "département de l'Aube" (10). I think the concerned place is in the "Aube", at the North of this "département".

The "Gruppen" of the JG 27 which withdrew from Varades (located in the "département de Loire Atlantique" at 50 km East of Nantes) to Champfleury early in August 1944, was the 1st Group. But the Group of this same "Jagdeschwader" whose a Me 1O9 collided on 27th of July 1944 with an other Me 109, was the 4th (IV JG 27), based at Corné, a place located 20 km East of Angers. Jean Bernard FRAPPE wrote, in his remarkable book "La Luftwaffe face au débarquement allié" (page 225) that a pilot of the 11.Staffel, Lt. Hans HETZLER (this Staffel was part of the IV JG 27), was killed in this collision close to Granville. The other pilot was probably safe.

Bonsoir

Pierre

Re: JG 27 actions on 27 July 1944 / France
 

According to J B Frappe, IV./JG 27 moved to Champfleury (north-east of Romilly) 6 June 1944. In reading his account I'm quite sure he doesn't mention another move until they flew their last mission out of Champfleury 1 August 1944 before returning to Germany.

Frappe refers to the collision of a Lt Hetzler of 11. Staffel colliding with another Messerscmitt (pilot unknown) near Granville, behind enemy lines on 27 July 1944. This was in the fighting just after the breakout at St. Lo.

Hope this helps
Dave

Re: JG 27 actions on 27 July 1944 / France
 

Lt Hetzler of 11. Staffel, KIA at St Jean des Champs (Manche)
Oblt. Friedrich Kohlweiss, KIA at 9 km N. de Romilly.
Uffz. Schwarz, 2./JG 27, WIA ?