A ?? RE: a JG 53 KIA;

[NickM]

I am re-reading Andrew & Morten's FW190 books; During an attack on December 20 1942, The Souk El Arba airfield was attacked by the Luftwaffe; a personal recollection stated a 'highly decorated' Luftwaffe fighterpilot crash landed after the dogfight but died as he was being removed from the cockpit. I was wondering if his identity was known. I know III/SKG-10, II/JG-2 & I/JG53 (I think) were involved in the attack.

Thanks ahead of time.

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi Nick,

It was Ofw. Ludwig Reibel of 1./J.G. 53 (38 victories). The memoirs of P/O. Robertson, shot down and wounded that day, have been posted online, here: http://www.pprune.org/military-aviat...t-ww11-72.html. 20 December 1942 is about a third of the way down.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

[Chris Goss]

A long time member of 1/JG 53, he had collided with another Bf 109 in the BofF before becoming a victim to Flak and crashing 10 kms west of Souk el Khemis in a Bf 109 G-2, Wk Nr 14503, White 5. He did not get the DKiG (posthumously) until March 43 but the Pokal in September 42. Guess when they said highly decorated, it could only be the EKI, EKII and no doubt the Mission Clasp in Gold and wound badge

[NickM]

Thanks to both Andrew & Chris.