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August 31,1944 Jg-52 combat w/ 52nd FG questions
On August 31,1944 an element of six Bf-109G of II/JG-52 led by Hptm Helmut Lipfert and including Lt. Foennekold attacked the 52nd FG which was attacking an airfield. The Bf-109s shot down 4 P-51s but lost 5 Bf-109s,the only survivor being Hptm Lipfert,who claimed one P-51.
The German dead are listed as:
Uffz Heinz Krah, Ofhr. Nikolaus Schroder, Lt. Hans Otto Junge, Uffz Fritz Zaubitzer, and Lt. Otto Foennekold.
Now the questions arise:
(1) In his book "The War Dairy Of Helmut Lipfert", Helmut Lipfert (Lipfert led a Rotte) , his wingman is identified as "Gefreiter Guenter Staender". There is no Gfr. Guenter Staender in the casualty list.
(2) In the Luftwaffe victory list by Tony Wood,there are two P-51 victories listed, one by Hptm Lipfert at 1020 at location 47 257 @ 400m.
The other P-51 claim is by Uffz Heinrich Koch who claims a P-51 at 1017 at location 47 228 @ 100 m. There is no Fw. Heinrich Koch listed among the casualties on this date.
(3) In the book "Ritterkreuztrager of the Luftwaffe" by Obermaier, Lt. Fonnekold is listed with 3 P51 kills on this date:"Am 31.8.44 gelang es ihm,drei US-Jaeger P-51 Mustangs abzuschiessen." Yet,there is no listing for Lt. Fonnekold in the victory claims list.
Altogether a very confusing combat. Otto Foennekold was killed by a P-51 Mustang while landing.
Speculation is encouraged.
Carlos
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