24 October 1944
This day the germans claim 7 victories on the Gross trapez 25 of the 25 Ost Map. 6 of them, in the Mitteltrapez 253, i.e. the gumbinnen's area and one in the Mitteltrapez 255 i.e. the goldap's area.
4 of them take place in the same period of time (12:49 p.m. to 12:51 p.m.) and in the same Mitteltrapez (253) which corresponds to the Gumbinnen sector and Kleintrapez (2538) which corresponds to the Gross Walterkehmen sub-sector ( before 1938, toponym used by the Soviets) ie Gross Waltersdorf (post 1938 toponym used by the Germans). With the German victories, it is thus necessary to seek a Soviet attacks along the Rominte river between Augstupönen (Hochfliess) and Walterkehmen (Gross Waltersdorf). This sector corresponds to the counter-offensive sector of the 5th Panzer Division and 5th Heavy Panzer Detachment.
20 minutes (12:33) earlier in the same sector, Friedrich Simon of 9./JG 51 claims a LaGG-5 in PlQu 25383 Skardupchen
still in the same time slot 24 Oct 44, Joachim Brendel of Stab III./JG 51 claims an Il-2 Sturmovik at 12:45 15 km North-East (25511-Krauzleidszen)
At 3:38 p.m., Karl Gratz of Stab /JG 52 claimed LaGG 5 km NW of Gumbinnen (25373 – Angerek).
For their part,
the Soviets (1 VA) deplore the loss of 6 planes, including 2 due to enemy aviation (1 Il2 and La5), 2 Il2 shot down by the Flak and 2 Il2 missing.
7 claim for 6 losses everything seems to be fine, but looking at the details, it will appear some problems.
The Germans claim 4 il-2, so we will look at ShaD activity:
1 Gv Shad: in reserve.
311 ShaD: carrying out reconnaissance in the Gross Trakehnen sector and combat and reconnaissance missions in the Goldap region do not report having encountered any enemy aircraft.
277 ShAD, performs reconnaissance flights from 7:43 a.m. to 6:05 p.m. and combat missions from 11:40 a.m. to 6:05 p.m. under the protection of planes of the 129 ShaD equipped with La-5. in the sectors of:
Plawischken (5 km N of Goldap), Gross Gudellen, Eszergallen (10 km N of Goldap), Gawaïten, Kariotkehmen (15 NW of Goldalp).
No battle losses.
182 Shad regrets the loss of 2 Il2 destroyed by Flaks, 1 destroyed by AI and 2 missing. It carries out two assault missions from 2:15 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. and from 5:10 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Sector Walleykehmen, Jentkutkampen (25333) Brakupönen-Karmohen (10 km NW Gumbinnen – 2 km south of Pillkallen).
Report of the 182nd ShAD: The tasks of the division: during the day 24.10.44. by successive strikes of groups of six aircraft in the period from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., destroyed artillery pieces, enemy troops in the sectors of Schilleningken (25414), Schwirgallen (25414), Uszdeggen (25336), target No. 59 (10 km NW Stallupönen) with the task of assisting the ground troops offensive. At 2:35 p.m., the first six 397 ShAPs appeared over the target, followed by six IL-2 64 ShAPs, then the groups arrived at the target with an interval of 15 minutes, the action of the aircraft of attack in formation of combat in a free circle at an altitude of 300 to 1100 mt. of 3-4 rotations making 5-6 attacks. The enemy provided strong opposition with flak and fighter fire.
In total 19 groups composed of 111 aircraft (flight time of 109 hours 10 m.)
Our losses - 6 crew did not return from the combat mission, 1 crew in the Gumbinen area was shot down by enemy fighters, 3 crew in the target area were hit by flak fire and two crew were missing.
397 Shap:
Losses: Cptn MALEVANNOGO Danil
We are therefore faced with a problem, the losses of Il-2 taking place N of Stallupönen around 12:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m. for the Germans) and the German claims to the S of Gumbinen at 2:50 p.m. (12:50 p.m. for the Germans).
The only unit carrying out a reconaissance-attack mission with 6 il-2s protected by fighters (Yak9 from memory) in the Gross Waltterke sector is the 311 ShaD, but it did not encounter any enemy aircraft.
So the question is who did the Stab/JG51 attack?
Now let's try to identify victories and combat between fighter aircraft.
303 IAD: 4 combats no losses.
129 IAD: performs protection missions for the benefit of the 182nd and 277th ShAD.
3 combat losses of an La-5 -
Our losses: Shot down during an air battle during the Il-2 escort of the 182 ShAD, the pilot Ltn KOKURIN of the 863rd IAP. Fallen in enemy territory 10 km west of STALLUPENEN.
Although we don't know Ltn Kokurin's time, the circumstances and theirs suggest that the time must be around 12:30 p.m., or 10:30 a.m. German. Which does not correspond to any claim of the Luftwaffe.
805 IAP: protect during the day the 64th ShAP AND 539th Shap of the 182nd ShAD. 1 combat against 4 Fw 190 and 2 Me 109, without result.
130 IAD: 2 fights without loss or victory
240 IAD: two combats having opposed 4 Yak-9 (133rd Gv IAP) to 4 Me 109 and 4 FW 190. without losses or results.
Conclusion: Although reading the available Soviet archives did not allow us to identify the battles that led to German claims, it appears that none of the German claims could be linked to a loss of Soviet aircraft.