Quote:
Originally Posted by Khorat
ya the Ar 234 140344 - Oblt. Sommer of Kdo. Sommer, reported damage of the undercarriage when landing at Udine airfield April 16th 1945.
khorat
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What's the source for that? I corresponded with Erich Sommer for years and (quoting "Air War Italy 1944-45" again): "Sommer wrote off T9+EH in a belly landing at Campoformido but forgets the exact date."
There is however this message sent on 13 April from Italy to OKL:
CX/MSS/T519/53
KO 438
From BOWJI ((G.A.F. IT.)) ((QM)) to FOBEZ ((OKL)). a/c distribution Kurfuerst 1 on 13/4:-
The immediate allocation of 2 Ar ZASYR ((234)) B-2 is requested for maintaining and carrying out urgent operational tasks.
NOTE: Detachment Sommer (Ar 234) subordinated to GAFIT from 5/4 (T510/98).
We know that
Kommando Sommer began with three aircraft and that one (Gniesmer's machine) was shot down on 11 April. If the Luftwaffe in Italy asked on
13 April for
two more Arados to maintain operational capability, it seems to suggest that a second aircraft had been lost either that day or perhaps on the 12th.
By the way, if anyone's interested in why Sommer's aircraft was found without engines, here's where they were: