[Michal R.]

Hello,

I have several questions regarding Luftwaffe losses in the vicinity of Dukla and the Dukla Pass in September 1944. Again, these concern claims made by Czechoslovak anti-aircraft artillery. Although Soviet units confirmed the downing of aircraft on several occasions, I have again been unable to find any relevant losses. These are the cases in question:

September 13
4:30 p.m. 1x Bf 109 destroyed + 1 Bf 109 damaged, Krosno - Dukla area
6:30 p.m. 1x B 109 destroyed
September 14, 6:12 p.m. 1x Bf 109 destroyed, Iwla (Dukla)
September 15, 12:00 p.m. 1x Bf 109 destroyed, vicinity of Dukla
September 18, 6:45 p.m. 1x Bf 109 destroyed Kobylany, the aircraft was supposed to crash about 3 km from the Soviet headquarters, which confirmed the shootdown.

It is clear to me that claims from the ground are even more complicated than those from air combat, with the Bf 109 possibly being an Fw 190 (there are also many reports of Bf 110 flyovers, which are more likely to be Soviet Pe-2s), but Czechoslovak soldiers above the entire area report relatively intense air activity, including air battles, which also resulted in losses. But on the German side, I found only a few records (and it seems that on September 23, they may have participated in shooting down an Fw 190 F from 6./SG 77). Are the loss reports still complete at this time, or could some records be missing? In addition to SG 77, it appears that I./JG 52 and NAGr. 2 were also operating over Dukla at that time.
Thank you in advance for your response and assistance!

Best regards

Michal Rak