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JV 44 Doras
Hi Guys;
There is a need for further explanation on this interesting subject.
First of all I never said that the D-11 "Red 4" was ever a prototype aircraft. In my book "Doras of the Galland Circus" I concluded that, in my opinion, at that time, "...therefore <58 "Red 4" may not be V58 W.Nr. 170933, but could be in the 220XXX W. Nr. block...". Since the book was published I saw a higher quality print of "Red 4" that clearly shows the white werknummer on the starboard side of the fin is in fact 220 series D-11.
As previously stated, we have two photos that show the Werknummer of "Red 13" to be 213240. It cannot be a 211 aircraft. Again, 211040 was assigned to another D-9 in another unit. To date there are three known (two with photo reference) 213XXX werknummer block Dora 9s known, that are numbered widely apart.
As far as the number of Dora aircraft assigned to JV 44, according the Luftflottenkommando 6 strength report documents, five D-9/11 aircraft were in service with JV 44. Two were servicable on 23 April 1945 and four were serviceable as of 26 April 1945. On 29 April, JV 44 jets moved to Salsburg Austria and the Doras transferred to Ainring that is close by. There is photo documentation of "Red 1", "Red 3", "Red 4" and "Red 13". That leaves one undocumented Dora aircraft. In the photos of the lineup at Munchen-Reim "Red 4" and "Red 1" are present. In the photos taken at Ainring in early May, "Red 13", "Red 3" are documented. The missing aircraft may be the one that appears to be an Fw 190 out in the middle of the open field at Ainring. So far no photos have surfaced of this missing number. The numbers that have been mentioned, "Red 2", "Red 5" and "Red 7" unfortunately have no photographic evidence.
Happy New Year to everyone!
Cheers,
Jerry
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Jerry Crandall
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