3./NAG 4

[Jochen Prien]

Gentlemen,

although my recent efforts to gain some information related to close-reconnaissance units have not triggered even one response I am not deterred and will try once more:

This time the subject of my enquiry is 3./NAG 4, which is some sort of white elephant in my records. All I have found so far is that the unit existed at least from March to November 1944, becoming 1./NAG 15 as of December 1st, 1944. During this time the Staffel suffered at least nine a/c losses due to enemy action, while another 16 a/c were lost or damaged in accidents or to other causes without enemy action, whereas the personal losses remain unknown so far ( at least to me, that is ). Also, I have not come across a single individual loss return, be it WASt or else, concerning 3./NAG 4.

It is also recorded that the Staffel submitted three claims for enemy a/c shot down by July 1st, 1944.

So, Gentlemen, who can enlighten me with respect to this Staffel, on or off board ? Any details are welcome.

Regards

Jochen Prien

[Dénes Bernád]

Are NAG 4 and NAGr 4 the same recce unit? If yes, I have several claims filed by Ltn. Hoyer and Uffz. Hisselbach of the 3rd Staffel of NAGr. 4 in the Summer of 1944. No info on any loss, though...

P.S. I also noticed a couple of claims by pilots of 4.(Eins.)/NAG 4.

[Jochen Prien]

Dear Denes,

no, they are not one and the same. Compared to 3./NAG 4 the 3rd Staffel of NAG 14 is rather well documented.

Many thanks nevertheless.

Regards

Jochen Prien

[Jochen Prien]

Dear Denes,

sorry, I got your message wrong - yes, NAG 4 and NAGr. 4 should be one and the same, as the abbreviation for the term Nahaufklärungsgruppe varied in the German records - NAG and NAGr. being the two common forms.

Therefore - yes I would be very much interested to see the information that you have on 3./NAG 4 ( or 3./NAGr. 4 ).

Again, sorry for getting confused about your message at first.

Kind regards

Jochen Prien

[RT]

Seems that NAgr.4 was built-up newly in 1945 lot of losses for febr. und march of this year, noone for 1944..

Rémi

[Jochen Prien]

Dear Rémi,

the 1945-losses you mention should refer to Stab, 1. and 2./NAG 4 as 3./NAG 4 - according to my sources - was re-named 1./NAG 15 as of December 1st, 1944, and was thus no longer part of NAG 4. I have come across no information that would hint at a re-establishment of a 3./NAG 4 in 1945 as quite to the contrary parts of the unit were even disbanded before the end of the war.

I would be happy to see some of the losses yoe refer to to check them against what I already have; may I ask you therefore to let me have some samples on or off board ?

Anyway, many thanks for your assistance and

kind regards

Jochen Prien

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by Jochen Prien

...yes, NAG 4 and NAGr. 4 should be one and the same, as the abbreviation for the term Nahaufklärungsgruppe varied in the German records - NAG and NAGr. being the two common forms.

O.K., I thought so.

Here are the several victory claims of this recce Staffel I found:
Date
Rank
Last name
Unit
JG
Claimed
Location
Time

1944.07.25.
Ltn.
Hoyer
3.
NAGr. 4
LaGG-5
31 267: 200m
07.20

1944.05.28.
Ltn.
Hoyer
3.
NAGr. 4
U-2
62 536: 30m
13.00

1944.07.27.
Ltn.
Hoyer
3.
NAGr. 4
Yak-9
22 279: 1500m
18.20

1944.08.07.
Ltn.
Hoyer
3.
NAGr. 4
U-2
11 399: 15m
09.10

1944.05.31.
Ltn.
Hoyer
3.
NAGr. 4
U-2
86 519: 20m
19.55

1944.07.21.
Ltn.
Hoyer
3.
NAGr. 4
Yak-9
32 45: 500m
19.10

1944.07.22.
Ltn.
Hoyer
3.
NAGr. 4
LaGG-5
31 53: 300m
11.15

1944.07.26.
Uffz.
Hisselbach
3.
NAGr. 4
U-2
22 559: 50m
12.25

1944.07.26.
Uffz.
Hisselbach
3.
NAGr. 4
Airacobra
32 567: 300m
18.17

1944.07.26.
Ltn.
Hoyer
3.
NAGr. 4
Airacobra
32 567: 200m
12.15

I hope this helps.

P.S. The table's formatting has gone after insertion. I tried to save what I could.

[Jochen Prien]

Dear Denes,

tahnks a lot !

Jochen Prien