[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, all

Firstly, I still believe it is too 'easy' to say that this aircraft MUST have been a IV./JG 3 aircraft. I agree that the evidence hints toward one of the Sturm units, but until further proof surface I still think it is wise not to make this assumption.

As I stated in an earlier post, the aircraft closest to the one in question seem to have been operated by the II.(Sturm)/J.G.4, a unit that also operated under the command of Luftwaffenkommando West at the time. I do not think it is unlikely that both these unit can have been operating against the same formations at the same dates.

Further - analyzing the losses of IV./JG 3 on 08.05.1944, we see that there was a loss that fit the description given in the report, namely an aircraft destroyed (summary loss category 4), and a pilot wounded (as given by the summary personnel loss records).

For this pilot and aircraft, a Namentliche Verlustemeldung should exist, and given the number of people frequenting these pages interested in the fighter units, I would surprised if no one has this on record.

I also wonder why there seems to be a total disregard to the more than 200 aircraft this unit lost in aerial combat during the latter part of 1944 and beginning of 1945, besides on the 14.01.1945...

If we agree that this aircraft became available to units sometime in October 1944, you would still have major dates in the unit history like the 12.11.1944 when 12 + 3 aircraft were destroyed/damaged in combat, 02.12.1944 with 10 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 17.12.1944 with 4, 23.12.1944 with 7 and so on and so on

The possibility that we will ever find out is rather slim, especially as I feel that we can rule out aircraft where the pilot were either wounded, killed or went missing (these would turn up in the corresponding NVM's).

You could of course be lucky, and find some thread of evidence, but the likeliness of this is limited.

Turning to the 08.05.1944 again Peter, I think you sadly enough will have to research a lot more than the IV./JG 3 aircraft lost on this date in order to identify the one in the report. According to my records, the Jagdwaffe lost roughly 50 aircraft to enemy action in the west on this date, and now that I feel we can rule out FW 190 682655 as being downed on this date you will have to start with a blank sheet on this one also...

If you need the list of aircraft and units to start your research, let me know.

Regards,
Andreas B