Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Cornwell
Claims submitted rarely equate to actual losses suffered and that is true of any air force. ...
2./StG76 Junkers Ju87B-1. Engine badly damaged in attack from below by Curtiss H-75s of GC I/5 during sortie east of Sedan and crash-landed in the Semois valley at ‘Les Longs Champs’ outside Dohan, east of Bouillon, 9.00 a.m. Probably that claimed by Sgt Perina. BF Uffz Helmut Gäth badly wounded in chest – died shortly after landing, FF Lt Heinz-Georg Migeod unhurt. Aircraft S1+GK 50% damaged but repairable.
Helmut Gäth was originally buried in a field grave in an orchard off the Route du Sati on the north-eastern approach to Dohan. He now lies in Noyers-Pont-Maugis Cemetery, Block 3, Grave 1835.
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2./StG76 Junkers Ju87B. Shot down Curtiss H-75s of GC I/5 during sortie east of Sedan and crashed in woods near Bouillon 9.00 a.m. FF Lt Rudolf Schulze-Wimken, and BF Uffz Heinz Rolland both captured wounded – later released. Aircraft S1+DK 100% write-off.
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Thanks Peter for the detailed source quotes. I think it unlikely to conclude with
certainty whether it was la Meslee or Perina who shot down Migeod. But...the source quoted above does seem to have some errors, specifically on Stuka Code letters. As noted in the immediately preceding posts, Heinz' Flugbuch notes that he was flying S1+MK on 12 May when shot down.
Equally as odd is that the other shootdown, of Schulz-Wimken, cites the 100% write-off of S1+DK....yet, Heinz' Flugbuch shows him flying S1+DK beginning 19 May (and almost exclusively through Nov '40). I suppose it is possible that another JU87 might have been re-designated with the "D" between 12 and 19 May, but I would think that unlikely.
So...small mysteries remain, and the available historical documentation is often less than perfect. I'd say we've given this matter an exhaustive examination. Thanks for all the input.