[researcher111]

Egbert ,first of I think you are very fortunate to have had such uncle in your family and would like very much to work on this thread with you. During his life time my old friend Ruddy Klemm ( ex Major und Staffelkapitaen JG54) who used to run his own Flugschule at my location's Airport discussed with me about both accidents . On May 1944 he was for a short while visiting Romania and had recollections. I tend to agree with you that the other JU-52 hit high obstructions in bad weather . Your uncle was a prominent Submariner and therefore I don't exclude the possibility that the Allied Air Forces knew about his planned arrival to Constanza especially that Soviets Iasi - Chisinau offensive and Allied Romania bombings from Italy just began - What I don't know is what was his point of departure,why the JU-52 pilots let down North of Turnul Severin so far off course from Constanza approaches to hit high obstruction at Topletz (Orsova) and where the crash investigation reports of the Romanians can be located .The 1st photo seems to have been taken at Constanza . For the rest of us maybe you can post his grave stone photos and any other photos you are willing to post , mainly and foremost for the general benefit of the readers.

To my knowledge he was supposed to act at Kriegsmarine Hdq in Constanza or take command returning to his U9 which later on ,on Aug 20,44 during the second Iasi-Chisinau offensive was sunken by a Soviet VMF Torpedo Bomber on Canstanza's harbour. On May 5,1944 Turnul Severin was attacked by 483rd Bomb Group from Sterparone / Italy and other BG assets attacked Ploesti . 3 US Fighter Groups were dispatched from Italy protecting the bombers and I'll check for you any downing reports on that day .

The weather aloft may have been CAVOK ,therefore I suspect the JU-52 pilots let down to avoid contact with US fighters and the bomber assets moving towards and from Turnul Severin then either shot down or encountered IMC weather or marginal while letting down before crashing .

Do you by chance know the time of the crash ?

Gruss /AK