Hi guys
Here is the loss list entry that Prien has for the incident in question concerning Nowotny on 11 August 1942:
11 August 1942: Bf 109 G-2 "Black 1" (W.Nr. 10 360) flown by Leutnant Walter Nowotny of 3./JG 54, obstacle contact, crash-landing at Rjelbitzi, 50%
The aircraft did not explode as can be seen in the following photographs.
It should be kept in mind that losses below 10% damage were not reported. Regarding the claim that Major Joachim Müncheberg was shot down twice on the Eastern Front while serving with the Geschwaderstab of JG 51 this apparently is based upon a dairy entry made by Feldwebel Günther Schack but there is no documented evidence that this occurred. Concerning the 23 October 1942 incident involving JG 52 only one loss appears in the loss list by Prien:
23 October 1942: Bf 109 G-2 (W.Nr. 13 846) of 4./JG 52, burned by commando squad at Maikop, 100%
It is my personal opinion that primary sources should always be used rather than secondary sources or those based upon recollections or memoirs which can often be faulty. I believe that the majority of researchers would agree with this approach.
Horrido!
Leo