Ju 188 s/d near Debrecen

[Pawel Burchard]

According to Leistungsbuch Klaus Weber his Ju 188 of 3./121 was shot down (probably by Mustangs) shortly after take-off from Debrecen on September 1st, 1944 at 0925 hrs. Radiooperator was killed, rest of the crew wounded. Apparently the crew claimed one of the Mustangs shot down. Are there any other known details of the incident?

kind regards,
Pawel

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On this date the 325th FG did a very successful (at leats in US records) strafing attack on Debrecen airfield, claimed four victories in the air (only USAAF victories in MTO this day) and lost two P-51s (again, only USAAF losses in MTO this day).

Victories were claimed by Lt Col Ernest H Beverly of 325th Gp HQ (3rd vic), 1st Lt Bruce C Cobb (4th vic) and 1st Lt David J Schmerbeck (2, 2nd and 3rd vic) of 319th FS.

Lost pilots were Benjamin Emmert (318th FS, P-51 44-13288, MACR 8325) and Louis B. Steere (317th FS, P-51 44-13501, MACR 8330).

Hope this helps

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Pawel,

the Luftwaffe losses by US strafing attacks in autumn, 1944 in Hungary is a difficult question (I have sporadic materials). Regarding that particular event on 1 Sept, 1944, significant number of German planes were destroyed in Debrecen (which just escaped from Romanian territory). IIRC one Mustang was shot down for sure by an AA unit but I guess, the second was shot down from the ground as well (must digging for some details). Maybe the MACR's contains useful details as well and probably the 325th FG's veterans can help too (Art Fiedler is a registered member here). Both pilots survived their shot down as well, so their stories are the most accurate.

BTW just a small correction: on that day three Mustang were lost over Hungary: the 52nd FG lost one as well, but in this case, Major Exum landed near 2ndLt Wilson and succesfully saved him (that's why no MACR report).

[Pawel Burchard]

Thank you guys for quick and exhaustive responces. Actually the entry in Leistungsbuch ends with '1 Mustang abgeschossen' - so it is difficult to say if that means it was s/d by the crew of Ju 188 or just observed as being s/d.

all the best,
Pawel

[HGabor]

Hi Pawel,

is there any data on his plane's WNr., letter codes (I assume something 7A+?L) and/or other losses during this day near Debrecen? Any lists available on the lost He 111s? Thanks,

Gabor

[Ota Jirovec]

Hello Pawel,

it seems that Weber´s Ju 188 was shot down by Lt Col Ernest H Beverly of HQ of 325th Fighter Group, who claimed an Me-410 over Debrecen A/D at 0831 hrs. All other air-to-air claims of 325th FG are for Ju 52s.

Ota

[Pawel Burchard]

Originally Posted by HGabor

is there any data on his plane's WNr., letter codes (I assume something 7A+?L)

Gabor, unfortunately not.

regards,
Pawel

[Dénes Bernád]

Several sources also claim that Rumanian Bf 109Gs attacked Debrecen a/f at low level (some reportedly even wearing Luftwaffe markings). However, this claim could not be verified in Rumanian archives.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Could it be that the US P-51 with the Chekertails markings of the 325th FG were confused with Me 109 with yellow markings (if Rumanian AC still wore yellow colors in 1944) ?