SG103 - 6 June, 1944

[drgondog]

Does anyone have an idea whether Oberst Graf Clemons von Schonborn went down at the lead of SG103 on D-Day? Were they flying from Metz or Biblis?

Is there a loss list including Ju 87s which crash landed but were also repaired?

Thanks in advance,

Bill

[Leo Etgen]

Hi Bill

Oberst Clemens Graf von Schönborn-Wiesentheid was transferred to Bulgaria as air attache and chief of the Luftwaffe mission to that country in June 1944. He was killed on 30 August 1944, when his Fi 156 liaison aircraft crashed due to unknown causes at Sofia. I must admit that I have no idea if he was shot down on 6 June and survived but he was not killed on that date if he was. According to www.ww2.dk/air/attack/sg103.html the Geschwaderstab and I. Gruppe of SG 103 were based at Bilbis and the II. Gruppe was based at Metz-Frescaty by D-Day. I hope that this helps out somewhat.

Horrido!

Leo

[Doug Stankey]

This is a bit unclear as to where the unit was based. According to Carlsen and Meyer Volume 2 it was based:

at Metz-Frescaty (to 05.44)
at Biblis? (to 10.44) -the question mark is theirs.

at Kohlenbissen

There appears to be some uncertainty about unit location but what is clear is that he died on 30 August 1944 and not on 6 June 1944.

Here's another twist. Larry's notes states that c.July 1944 he had been appointed Luftattaché Sofia/Bulgaria and therefore ceased to be Kommodore SG 103 by the time of his death.

I do not have his loss report details. Perhaps some kind soul out there can provide this info.

Good Luck!

[Chris Goss]

From the NVMs I have, I have I/SG 103 at Biblis & II Gruppe at Metz-Freskaty in Jun 44

[yogybär]

FYI: Biblis is in Germany.

[drgondog]

Thanks to each of you.

Leo, I don't know whether he was leading SG103 on D-Day - but the Gruppe took a pretty bad beating when they were caught by the 355th.. I did notice there was a question mark for whom was actually leading SG103 when the Invasion started. Do you know if it was I. or II. that were intercepted on the way to the beach? Metz seems closer, indicating II.??

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Bill

Happy Fourth of July. It is my understanding that the unit caught by the US fighters was a Ju 87 Einsatzstaffel (operational squadron) assembled from II./SG 103 at Metz-Frescaty on 6 June and sent to Le Mans tasked with attacking the invasion shipping in the Caen area the next day. They were intercepted en route near Voves by the 339th FG and 355th FG and wiped out, losing four shot down and five damaged, with personnel losses amounting to three killed, 11 wounded and two missing. I hope this helps.

Horrido!

Leo