ObltFritz Lau NJG1
 

My father,W/O Jack Curtis RNZAF, was the navigator on the RAF 15 Sqd Stirling bf470 which shot down Oblt Fritz Lau on the night of 3/10/1943 and in turn was shot down by him.My father and 3 other crew members parachuted to safety and became POWs the other 3 crew were killed during the engagement.

Re: ObltFritz Lau NJG1
 

Hello Stirling,

Gen.Qu. loss return 7 Oct 1943 item 61 and amendment 25 Nov 1943:
3.10. III./NJG 1 Feindflug, Ort: nördlich Harpenfeld, Ursache: Absturz nach Luftkampf, Bf 110 G-4 5339 100%.
F Oblt Lau verletzt
Bm Obgfr Weber, Erwin +.

Regards
Leo

Re: ObltFritz Lau NJG1
 

Hello Stirling,

here are the claims details:

Oblt. Fritz Lau: 2 9./NJG1 Stirling Haste, 3 km N. Osnabrück (4 A): 4.000 m. 21.49 15 Sqn Stirling BF470

I believe that Lau was shot down in air combat with another bomber, as he was shot down at 22.18 hrs, or almost half an hour after shooting down BF470. You can find the complete details in:

https://www.wingleader.co.uk/shop/na...943-part-three

Did your father ever record his memories of that fateful night/his final op., and do you perhaps have a photo of the crew? You are welcome to contact me at

theoboitenATgmail.com
AT = @

Cheers, Theo