Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein's mysteries
 

Something puzzling about this well-known photograph.
It shows 29 "kills", 5 of them against Soviet planes.

But...
According to published lists of victories (Tony Wood), when he left the Western front, Sayn-W. had already 32 victories.
Why only 24 painted on the fin?

With two victories in the same night, he jumped from 4 to 6 victories on the Eastern front.
Why 5?

He reportedly bagged 7 kills in the night of 24/25 July 1943 (Obermaier says 20 July) but none of them appear in the same lists.

Thanks in advance.
Chris

Re: Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein's mysteries
 

Chris,

Attached is what I have on Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein also gleaned from Tony woods list with a few additional comments. I've listed only 78 Victories (I'm missing 5).

From this you can see that he left NJG2 to take command of IV./NJG5 in the east. He gained 5 Victories in a brief period in the east before returning briefly to the West on loan to NJG1 during the battle of the Ruhr where he added another 5 Victories.

My guess is that 2 of the 5 victories that I'm missing was while he was with NJG 2 before going to the east at 24 Victories. The quick addition of 5 in the east gives you 29 before returning briefly for another 5 in the west in June 1943 for a total of 34. He then returned East to resume command of IV./NJG5 in July 1943.

The issue of pilots loaned from different NJG units to NJG 1 during the Battle of the Ruhr (around June 1943) has been discussed previously on this webpage.

You stated he had 2 Victories in a night to go from 4 to 6 Victories in the east, I'm assuming this is the 2 on the 18th July after he returned from his stint with NJG1. This would actually be his 10th and 11th in the East.

Tony Woods list supports Obermaier with 7 Victories on the 20th. I'm not sure about the 24/25 July claim.

If anyone can tell me the 5 claims I'm missing it would be appreciated.

Regards,

Craig...

Re: Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein's mysteries
 

Craig,

It's very nice of you. I do appreciate.
So, I guess the famous photograph where he is standing in front of C9+AE was taken before he returns on the Western front, in May or early June 43.

Thanks.

Chris