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Re: II./JG52 lost 3 pilots 14/8/40
Hi Brian,
Some further thoughts on the Mason claims. Bf 109s of II and III./JG52 took part in a combat that took place over the Dover/Folkestone area between 11.40 and 13.15 on 14 August. Other participants were JG3, JG26, JG51, Erpr.Gr.210, the Stukas of IV./LG1 and II./StG1,plus Bf 110s from I./ZG26. To address the JG52 losses, Mason links the loss of Ofw Rüttinger to Gordon of 151 Squadron, but states that it was made at 16.20 – it was 12.10. He links Ofw Weiss's loss to a combat with Beggs of 151 at 16.24, again Beggs made a claim at 12.10. The third loss, Ofw Potthast is linked to a claim by 65 Squadron Spitfires. 65 and 615 Squadron did take part in this combat (along with 32, 610 and 615) but 15 RAF pilots made claims for Bf 109s during this engagement – only six were shot down – and it is very difficult in most instances to link losses to specific claims. On some occasions the links can be made, especially if a pilot witnesses his victim crashing at a specific location, or his combat report details are a close match to a specific loss. That in not the case with the pilots that Mason links to the JG52 losses.
Peter
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