W/C Duncan-Smith Bf-109 victoy-June 26,1943

[kaki3152]

On June 26,1943 W/C Duncan-Smith attacked 10 Bf-109Gs escorting a Do-24 flying boat and downed a Bf-109G.. He described this combat in his book "Spitfire Into Battle" in vivid detail.

In the book by Brian Cull --"Spitfires Over Sicily", this action is also detailed and the probable victim is listed as Uffz Karl Hauer of 3/JG-77 flying Wrk Num. 18186.

In J. Prien's JG-77 Vol III, this loss is listed as Uffz Luwer of 2/JG-77 flying a Wrk Num. 18186. Karl Hauer is listed as a casualty on September 16th,1943 (vermisst-Luftkampf ostlich Salerno 100%)

I believe Uff Luwer is the correct casualty although his loss is listed as Motorschaden or motor trouble.
Any more info?

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi,

W/Cdr. Duncan Smith was probably involved in combat with J.G. 53 rather than J.G. 77.

6./J.G. 53 reported a skirmish with Spitfires off the south-east coast of Sicily, in which Bf 109 G-6 W.Nr 18 261 suffered twenty per cent damage south of Cap Scaramia (also called Cap Scalambria). This aircraft was later found burnt out at Comiso airfield by the British.

Uffz. Huwer of 2./J.G. 77 made a forced landing in the sea south-west of Sciacca, in western Sicily, due to engine trouble. He was flying Bf 109 G-6 W.Nr 18 186, and was rescued uninjured. The diary of Armin Köhler, quoted by Prien, confirms that the cause was engine trouble. He had been escorting FW 190s in an attack on an Allied convoy.

It was a particularly busy day for the FW 190s of S.K.G. 10. More details about Luftwaffe and FW 190 operations from Sicily on 26 June 1943 will be found in the forthcoming book by Morten Jessen and myself, Focke-Wulf Fw 190 in the Battle for Sicily.

Cheers,
Andrew A.

[kaki3152]

Andrew,

So its just another case of Comonwealth overclaiming!

Carlos