[leonventer]

Hi Austin,

Originally Posted by Bombphoon

... the crew of 12 Squadron Lancaster JB609 which was shot down on 19/20th February 1944 on the way back from Leipzig, by III./NJG1 ace Oblt Hans-Heinz Augenstein. Sadly all seven of the crew were killed when the a/c crashed at Elspeet, Holland.

According to the book mentioned by Hennie Freriks ("Van Grasmat tot Fliegerhorst" by Cornelissen), Augenstein shot down Halifax W367 of 78 Sqn near Steenwijk at 02.30 on 20th Feb 1944.

The book is a history of the air war over the eastern part of the province of Overijssel, with a focus on the airfield of Twenthe during the occupation years. It contains detailed accounts about the units that operated from that field, particularly III./NJG 1. Some of the other units mentioned include 6./NJG 1, I. + III./NJG2, II./NJG 3, III./NJG 4, I./NJG 5, I. + III./JG 1, IV./JG 26, III./JG 54 and KG 200. The appendices contain comprehensive victory and loss lists for III./NJG 1.

I understand Oblt Hans-Heinz Augenstein himself was killed by an RAF Mossie nightfighter on 6/7th December 1944 - anybody know which a/c or unit shot him down?

There is no entry for Augenstein in the III./NJG 1 loss list at all, so he might have transferred to another unit by then. This seems to be supported by that fact that his Halifax on 19/20 Feb 1944 is his last entry in the III./NJG 1 victory list -- during the preceding months, he had scored fairly regularly.

Hope that helps,
Leon Venter