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Re: Circus N° 20 23 June 1941
Hello Gentlemen,
a lot of thanks for these very useful answers.
Regarding the German assault, Gerhard Schöpfel had nice remembrances that he told me 15 years ago. It was his sole combat with Balthasar at his side.
It appears that the first unit to be in contact with this Circus was 4./JG 2 having started from Abbeville Drucat. They claimed a lot, but also suffered the loss of Bock and probably the 109 which was damaged at Drucat. The other damaged 109 certainly belonged to the 5th Staffel and was lost a bit later.
About 20 minutes after this first battle, Stab III./JG 26, Geschwaderstab JG 2, III./JG 26 and III./JG 2 also rejoined the RAF formation and started fighting Belnheims and Spitfires… which seems to counter-say a bit what our friend Don Caldwell wrote : "The two JG 2 Gruppen claimed five Blenheims before the German were set upon by the late-arriving escort."
Is there any report that states that the escort arrived a bit late?
Thanks, best regards and the very best for 2008!
Erik
PS : just found this excellent page : http://orb.polishaf.pl/unit/303sqn
Last edited by Erik Mombeeck; 1st January 2008 at 23:41.
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