Fw Fritz Gilfert 12./JG 4

[Chris Goss]

The above was killed 25 Sep 44 when his Bf 109G-14, 462693, Blaue 10 crashed at Kilder in the Netherlands, his body not being recovered until 1951. Can anyone add any more to his story? He was formerly 3./ZG 1

[John Manrho]

What do you want to know? His remains were recovered from the wreck and he was buried at Ysselsteyn Grave TLL-10-115.

John

[Chris Goss]

John-I have emailed you

[John Manrho]

On 25.9.44 several missions were flown by the Jagdwaffe against the Allied landings near Arnhem, one at around 17.00 hrs (German Time) with Gefechtsverband Major Späthe;

17.07 – 18.21 hrs 28x Bf 109 from III./JG 4 from Lippspringe
Claimed 1 Mustang
Lost 1 Bf 109 (Gilfert) and at least two damaged Bf 109’s
17.13 - 18.50 hrs 23x Fw 190 from III./JG 11 from Achmer
Claimed 2 Thunderbolts
Lost 1 Fw 190 (pilot returned)
17.25 – 18.25 hrs 14x Fw 190 from IV./JG 54 from Plantlünne
Claimed 4 Mitchells
Lost 2 Fw 190 (Adler & Zorn)

The unit was in combat with numerous different units, mainly RAF Mustangs and Spitfires. It is very difficult to determine who shot down who…

Fw. Fritz Gilfert joined 10./KG 40 in May 1943. Was later with 16./KG 40, then 3./ZG 1 and finally 12./JG 4.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks John. His name doesn't come up until V./KG 40 became I./ZG 1 in October 43 and he was with 3./ZG 1 formerly 15./KG 40.

[Johannes]

Hi Chris

I also have him with 10./KG 40 and 15./KG 40. Two claims with 3./ZG 1:-

26,2.44 Halifax 1045 hrs
11,4.44 Mosquito 1536 hrs

Born 22,07.1921

Regards

Johannes

[Chris Goss]

Thanks I have this as well. 16./KG 40 is this mysterious Staffel about which I have nothing. The fact that it became 9./ZG 1 is also a puzzle as this was formed from Kdo Kunkel to be 9 (NJ)./ZG 1. Also, III./ZG 1 was 7 Staffel only from what I can see until Feb/Mar 44 when it became a pseudo Gruppe commanded by Hptm Hans Morr who handed over 7 Staffel to Oblt Martin Reuter

[Johannes]

Hi Chris

I have claims for 9./ZG 1 going back to 08.02.1941(Johannes Lutter)and Kdo.Kunkel's only two claims 02.05.1944 and 04.05.1944 by Artur Meyer . Also with 9./ZG 1 I have three claims for Alwyn Meyer on 02.02.1942 and 13.02.1942 x 2.

Regards

Johannes

[John Manrho]

I believe Lt. Alwin Meyer belonged to 6./ZG 26 at that time.

[Chris Goss]

Kdo Kunkel's claims were by Ly Arthur Ewert (10 Jun 1913) not Meyer. He was originally a transport pilot with KGrzbv I/323, Stab LLG 2 before joining I./ZG 101 11 Feb to 16 Jun 43, 10./KG 40 17 Jun-18 Aug 43, 14./KG 40 19 Aug to 7 Oct 43, 2./ZG 1 to 10 Nov 43 then 9.(Nacht)/ZG 1 to 16 Jul 44. He ended the war with 1./NJG 4. He had another claim on 11 Sep 43 for a Mosquito. His claims with Kdo Kunkel cannot be matched with any losses