12./JG 301 - 5 dec 1944
 

On this date Ofw. Walter Bä(c)ker was lost in combat over Prenzlau.
Unfortunaly Willi Resckes book gives two ways of writing his name:
Bäker in the text, but Bäcker in the caption of the added photo.
So I’m looking for the correct spelling.
The staffel claimed a P-51 shot down by Lt. Reiche.
In L.de Zeng list I found two Lt. Reiche’s: Gerhard & Ludwig.
Both with the same data, shot down with 11./JG 300 on the 14 Jan 1945.
I found a Gerhard Reiche in the 2nd volume of the book Jagdgeschwader 300 Wilde Sau lost on that day but as a Uffz.
I hope someone can shed a light about this pilot: Lt./Uffz. - Ludwig/Gerhard.
Tia and happy easter.

Dirk

Re: 12./JG 301 - 5 dec 1944
 

For him there are two different NVMs, both with Walter Bäcker. I have no Bäker in my database.

At least in the NVM there is Uffz Gerhard Reiche. He is also mentioned in the DRK Vermisstenbildliste, Band LH, page 288 as Uffz Gerhard Reiche, born 30.01.1923. I have no Ludwig Reiche, born 12.03.1920 in my database.

Matti

Re: 12./JG 301 - 5 dec 1944
 

Matti,

Thx a lot for your swift answers, much appriciated.

Dirk

Re: 12./JG 301 - 5 dec 1944
 

In the Gen.Qu. loss report from 25 January 1945 is listed:
vermisst 14.1.45 III./JG 300 Bf 109 G-14 784174 (grüne 17) Obgefr Reiche, Gerhard. Ort des Verlustes: unbekannt, Ursache: unbekannt.

Leo

Re: 12./JG 301 - 5 dec 1944
 

Hello

According to my information Ofw.Walter Baker is missing since 5.12.1944, see VBL LH304. Where Willi Reschke had the information that Baker fell over Prenzlau, he could never tell me. For more than 25 years I have collected the war grave lists from my home region, the Uckermark, and my main interest is the airbattle on 5.12.1944. For this date, and matching the JG301, there is only one unidentified pilot lying in the cemetery of Finow. At the dead, only the number of his flare gun is known and it is believed that it is Fw.Helmut Tschorn. In the NVM only Uffz.Karl Alt with loss location Prenzlau is specified. But he is buried in Finow. His exact place of death is unknown to me, but i believe it could be Briest, N. of Angermünde. In Prenzlau Leyer, Kreil and Becker from JG301 are buried and there is no unknown airman here. Years ago I got a hint to a Fw190 crash near Kasekow, OSO of Prenzlau. Two 17-year-old boys were the first at the crash site and found a dead Oberfeldwebel. All circumstances from the stories, weather, air combat and period fit on 5.12.1944. Unfortunately, I have nothing more to determine. neither to the whereabouts of the dead or otherwise.
Lt Reiche and Uffz.Reiche, I think it's two different people.
Best regards, Rene Millert