[Peter Cornwell]

I have the following losses listed for JG53 on 15 September 1940. No obvious link established with any combats involving No.72 Squadron as the known times of engagement do not match.

1./JG53 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 (5111). Forced-landed at Étaples damaged in combat over south London. Pilot unhurt. Aircraft 15% damaged but repairable.

1./JG53 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 (1345). Shot down in combat with fighters over the Isle of Sheppey during escort sortie for KG76 attack on London 12.40 p.m. FF Oberfw Alfred Müller captured wounded. Aircraft White 6 + 100% write-off.

1./JG53 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 (5197). Petrol tank set alight in fighter attack during free-lance sortie over Canterbury and abandoned over Adisham Court, near Bekesbourne, 12.09 p.m. Believed shot down by F/O A.D.J. Lovell of No. 41 Squadron but possibly also that attacked by P/O J.D. Smith of No.73 Squadron. FF Fw Herbert Tzschoppe baled out and captured badly burned. Aircraft 100% write-off.

2./JG53 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 (6160). Shot down by fighters in combat during bomber escort sortie over south London. FF Uffz Hans Schersand killed. Aircraft 100% write-off.

2./JG53 Messerschmitt Bf109E. Shot down by P/O J.F.J. Macphail of No.603 Squadron during combat over Maidstone and crashed in flames in Gore Wood, Aldington Court Farm, Bearstead, 12.45 p.m. FF Oberlt Rudolf Schmid killed. Aircraft 100% write-off.
Originally buried in Thurnham Churchyard, Rudolf Schmid was repatriated to Germany post-war.

3./JG53 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 (1590). Shot down by fighters during escort sortie for KG76 attack on London and abandoned over Mullard Wood, Norheads Farm, Biggin Hill, 12.50 p.m. Believed that claimed by F/Sgt G.C. Unwin of No.19 Squadron but possibly also that attacked by F/O A.D. Nesbitt of No.1 (RCAF) Squadron. FF Oberlt Julius Haase (Staffelkapitän) baled out but fell dead in Lusted Lane due to parachute failure. Aircraft 100% write-off.

3./JG53 Messerschmitt Bf109E-1 (3619). Engine damaged in combat with Spitfires during escort sortie for KG76 attack on London and crashed attempting belly-landing at Grand Redoubt, between Hythe and Dymchurch, 12.42 p.m. Possibly that attacked by F/Sgt C. Sydney of No.92 Squadron. FF Uffz Karl-Heinz Feldmann captured unhurt. Aircraft Yellow 2 + 100% write-off.

Stab III./JG53 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 (5251). Ditched in the Channel out of fuel following combat with fighters over southern England. FF Oberlt Friedrich-Karl Müller believed rescued unhurt. Aircraft 100% write-off.
Possibly the airman picked up by Do18 K6+BL of 3./KüFlGr.406 late that afternoon.

III./JG53 Messerschmitt Bf109E-4 (1174). Crashed and burned out at Étaples following combat sortie. Pilot unhurt. Aircraft 100% write-off.