This time KG51 3.MAI 1941

[RT]

This day KG51 in action above Kreta, claimed a big tanker, nd paid in return with 3 planes , forced to ditch two are known 9K+GH nd 9K+LH,
the third is unkown , at least to me 9K+BH, I seen that Dierich speak about an Uffz ernst Beckmann dead, but...

Remi

[ChrisS]

Good Morning Remi

I have copy photos of 9K+BH and 'DH taken in the Balkans/Greece would these be of any help?

Regards

Chris

[RT]

Which date the picture, ChrisS ??

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, Remi

Can not find a referance to the third aircraft. Is it possible that the person in question was killed, but the aircraft below 10% damage?

Have seen a few of these, flak damage usually.

A NVM should however exist.

Anyone got one?

Regards,
Andreas B

[Jim P.]

I have no record of it either. I think Andreas' suggestion will probably be the answer.

[RT]

The source "Salu" reported 3 losses, first two we hv 9K+GH /9K+LH, comparing the crews nd those reported by Dierig, just Beckmann pop-out, but Dierig list just the dead or missing pers. nd in this case just 3 names of 12...

Remi

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, Remi

The loss records as I have them are:

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=127281

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=127515

So at least you have 8 crew members here.

As I stated earlier - if this Beckmann was killed in connection to this operation a Namentliche Verlustemeldung should exist. A further possibility is of course that he was for example a reporter flying in one of the crews, and that he thus is reported under another unit.

A further complication, especially when trying to find a suitable loss is that the name Beckmann reported from memory could have been written or reported in numerous ways - you have Beckmann, Bachmann, Backermann, Backmann, Bahlmann, Bahmann, Ballmann, Beckermann and so on...

I can find no loss with a suitable name for this date, but haven't entered the losses for Schulen and sonstige units yet

Regards,
Andreas B

[Jim P.]

Its been my experience that while Dierich has certainly added many details not found in the Gen.Qu. data, this detail seems to be mostly for the III./KG 51. Great stuff. With luck maybe we'll see a more complete accounting from him (was he a vet from the unit, and is he still alive?) or someone else in the future.

[RT]

So many solutions, stronger remains the third craft...

Remi

[edNorth]

Hi guy´s.

It has been my experiance that possibly some losses stated in the SALU reports may have not occurred in reality. These reports were based on radio intercepts and sometimes (especially under emergencies) aircraft radio operators may have inadvertandly transmitted wrong codes (or the British intercepted them wrongly). I too only find two I/KG 51 losses on that date, but again the third loss may have been aircraft that eventually reached shore/base (and recovered under 10% damaged).