[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hi Art!

I told you we would find out your victims. I must re-tell you that I am not a “hot shot” like some guys in the Forum, who already published books and had access to the German and Allied Official Archives; however I do read between 40-50 books per year, and the great majority is about WW2.

I find out some interesting FACTS at the book written by the famous historian Jochen Prien about JG 53 “Pik As”, vol.3:


24 JUNE 1944

“The Americans returned next day ( 24th ): 135 Liberators and equal number of fighters set out to attack Ploesti. All available Jagdgruppen were mustered to meet this attack, including the Gruppen ( Squadron ) of JG 52, SG 2 and SG 10 ( Fighter-bomber units equipped with Fw 190 F and G models ), which were based on the Eastern Front under the Command of Luftflotten 4 and 6. They were guided toward the heavy bomber formation by Oberstleutnant ( Lt-Col ) Neumann, commander of Fighter Sector Romania – such missions were code-named Star Flights. Also under command of Obstlt Neumann´s control there were several Romanian Fighter Squadrons based on airfields around Ploesti. Some of the Romanians were equipped with the Bf 109 and others with the IAR 80, a radial engined fighter of Romanian design.
I/JG 53 took off at 08:42h ( AM ) and at several minutes past 09:00 engaged the American formation. The 1st Staffel ( 12 aircraft ) was engaged by Mustangs of the Fighter Escort. Its commander Oberleutnant Rupert Weninger ( a 17 victories ace ) was pursued by P-51 to ground level and finally shot down near Giorani ( Bf 109 G-6, werknummer 163633 White 10 + ). Two other Bf 109 G-6 were shot down ( one by B-24 return fire the other for unknown reasons ).

28 JUNE 1944

A large force of B-24 with an escort of P-51 were reported heading for Bucharest. I/JG 53 was scrambled at 09:02hs; the Gruppe subsequently formed up, during which time they were joined by 6th Staffel of JG 301a and climbed in a southerly direction.
Apparently two pilots of 2nd Staffel of JG 53 were confirmed shot down by P-51 south of Bucarest:
1- Lt. Erich Gehring ( WIA – 10 kills ace ) crashed at Lamanda, South of Bucarest. Bf 109 G-6, werknummer 163594, codes Black 7+
2- Feldwebel ( Sergeant ) Rudi Franke ( WIA – 4 kills pilot ) crashed at Vida, SW of Bucarest. Bf 109 G-6, werknummer 163646, codes Black4+
It seems that 6/JG 301 lost also two pilots. They were to the right of JG 53 during the action. Both pilots were killed:
1- Lt Weber
2- Uffz Hett
It seems that nine B-24 and two P-51 were shot down! Did you Fighter Group lost any Mustang that day? We had to check out. I will try to find out more information on the JG 301 pilots also…

9 JULY 1944

In the morning 220 Fortress and Liberators in several waves with a strong escort of Mustangs headed for Romania; their target Ploesti and the refinery complex. Early in the morning the I Gruppe of JG 53 went to Mizil, the base of III Gruppe of JG 77. At 09:16hs the fighters were scrambled. Apparently only 6 Bf 109 from JG 53 took off. Only the Gruppenkommandeur, Major Hurjen Harder ( 65 victories ace, killed in action later during the war ) returned home. Here is his own account:
“ I am in a very depressed mood. Five aircraft accompanied me in today´s battles. I am the only one who came back though my machine was badly shot up, but I was not hurt. Hauptmann ( Captain ) Franz Bauer was shot down and burned. I have lost more than 20 aircraft in the recent battles. My proud Group has been reduced to 30 aircraft. We are so terribly outnumbered. 500 four-engined bombers and 300 fighters against barely 30 of our own! I no longer know what I am to do. What good is courage when a mission against such superior strength almost borders madness? If we at least had better machines, but….I would rather not fly again until the Group has 20 or more machines. I have had enough and I am not going to sacrifice myself for those….it´s better not to say”.
JG 53 losses for 9th July:
1- Hauptmann Franz Bauer ( 4 kills pilot ), killed NW of Amaru by P-51. Bf 109 G-6, Black 1+, werknummer 163606
2- Feldwebel Rudolf Schwonnek, killed by P-51 S of Mizil. Bf 109 G-6, Black 12+, werknummer 160888.
3- Gefreiter Rolf Rieschel, killed S of Mizil by P-51. Bf 109 G-6, Yellow 6+, werknummer 162321
4- Uffz. Heinz Hommes ( 14 kills ace ), baled out, shot down by P-51 S of Mizil. Bf 109 G-6, Yellow 5+, werknummer 162319.
There are two other losses also from 2nd Staffel ( Bf 109 G-6 ), but apparently the pilots baled out. There are no records on the names of the pilots.

The only claims are certainly NOT from JG 53. We had to check out the Heinkel He 111 and Junkers Ju 52 claims. Anybody who possess those famous ORB´s has any news to share with us on the Forum? Sir Nick Beale ( you are the specialist on Italian and MTO Fronts; maybe you could help Art and us to find out his claims ).

Sincerely and friendly yours

Adriano