[Monaco]

Thank you all!
I´m fully aware about many JG 5 pilots did a lot of overclaiming, maybe except for the early birds like Dahmer, Carganico...
And I´m fully aware that personal memories should be treated with caution, I just wanted to put it "on the table" here, because maybe it´s of interest for someone and adds some "info" that is new for someone.

i.e. Kirchmayr being s/d on 15.10.41 was and the role of the later ace Jennewein new to me:
Two sorties in Rotte in the morning.Third mission t/o 13:10h with three Schwärme. Shot down by Spitfires attacking out of the sun from 8.000m in Bf.109E-7 Wnr.7677 (100% loss), baled out over the Channel 80-90km from the coast near Epeuville, sighted whilst descending by Fw.Pfeiffer (who was pursued out of ammo by 2 Spitfires N to S) and later by his comrade „Peppi“ Jennewein, who led the rescue boats in, rescued and picked up at 20:22h from sea by ASR squadron Cherbourg after finding the pilot with searchlight. Kirchmayr was three days in Rouen hospital (body temperature was 28°C) and back at the Staffel on 20.10.41. Jennewein reported on 15.10.41: „ At 18:56h t/o as Rottenführer with Fw. Pfeiffer for ASR mission. Flew 310° (course) where at 13:32 my wingman had sighted a parachute. Then I sighted red rocket right ahead. Turning around I overflew a small dinghy at 19:13h the position with 312° at 100m altitutde with 400km/h. At 19:24h reached coast at the most northwestern houses of St Abbey reported the position by FT“
JFS 5 also lost on 15.10.41 Lt Elmar Resch in a crash with Bf.109F-2 Wnr.12691 (100%) near Le Havre (WIA) and Bf.109E Wnr.5617 on t/o at Le Havre A/D (65%) - Kirchmayr´s diary says two more losses by JFS 5 and nearly all Bf.109s took hits, successes claimed, but not confirmed. Of 234 Sq. RAF S/Ldr. H.M. Stephen and F/O P.I. Howard-Williams claimed 1 Bf.109F shared s/d, other pilots from the Squadron 1 probable and 3 damaged and 118 Sq. RAF pilots 2 Bf.109Fs s/d off Le Havre after t/o from Ibsley at 12:30h. Earlier W/Cdr. H.C.A. Woodhouse (GC of Tangmere Wing) and one pilot from 129 Sq. RAF claimed 1 Bf.109F each at ca.12:45h and 12:35h off Le Havre.

RAF did also huge overclaims in the early years, but there seem to be more German losses than in the official lists.