[Rottler]

Hello Kristjan,

here is the German sight of the events on September 19, 1943.
Major Egon Mayer of Stab/JG 2 claimed two Spitfires on Sept 22, 1943 1717 hrs and 1720 hrs east of Lisieux, not on Sept 19, 1943 (see post #7). On this day the Luftwaffe claimed four Spitfires and had four Bf 109 losses, but no losses of FW 190, in contradiction to the American reports.

At noon the Marauder formation was recalled due to weather. The half of the 386th BG and all 36 of the 387th BG returned, the remaining 18 B-26 of the 386th BG hit Lille-Nord airfield escorted by Spitfire Squadrons (Ramrod No. 232/I). They encountered the FW 190 and Bf 109 of JG 26 (see post #2) but no fighters of the JG 2.

Three Spitfire losses were claimed by
Uffz Gerd Wiegand 8./JG 26 1240 hrs
Hptm Klaus Mietusch Stab III./JG 26 1246 hrs
Hptm Karl Borris Stab I./JG 26 1252 hrs.

One Bf 109 loss: Lt Ernst Todt Stab III./JG 26 Bf 109 G-6 16386 near Poperinghe 1240 hrs.

In the afternoon 72 B-26 of 222nd and 323rd BG were dispatched to the Merville airfield but they were recalled due to weather. But 15 Mitchell of 226 Sqn bombed a petrochemical factory near Béthune, escorted by some Spitfire Squadrons (Ramrod No. 233/ I and II). In the area west of Calais they encountered the I. and II./JG 2 and parts of JG 26 (43 Bf 109 and 30 FW 190). The escort fighters prevented a contact to the bombers.

One Spitfire loss was claimed by Lt Fritz Karch 6./JG 2 1830 hrs.

Three Bf 109 losses, pilots N.N.:
4./JG 2 Bf 109 G-6 20664 emergency landing near Arras, 20%
4./JG 2 Bf 109 G-6 20601 belly landing near Epinoy, 65%
III./JG 2 Bf 109 G-6 15220 belly landing near Monchy-Breton, 20%.


Sources:
Tony Wood lists “OKL Fighter Claims” and “RAF & US Fighter Commands with annotated text. Issue I 1943”
Jagdfliegerverbände Teil 10/III and Teil 10/IV
Loss reports of Gen.Qu. from September 22, 1943 No. 11-13 and 15

Regards
Leo