Beutelspacher and Bleckmann

[Leo Etgen]

Hello

I am wondering if anyone would have the loss information for these two pilots of 6./SG 2 that were lost in the summer of 1944 in operations over Romania. Bleckmann was killed in a non-combat incident on 4 June and Beutelspacher was killed in aerial combat with USAAF P-51 fighters on 22 July. I have attempted to look up this information but it does not seem as if there is much available in the usual sources. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Horrido!

Leo

[yogybär]

Concerning Bleckmann, a citation from "Stormbirds" by Hermann Buchner (page 96):

Bleckmann was already on his return flight when his 190 exploded and he had no chance ...

Concerning Beutelspacher, same source page 103:

Six of my friends had been shot down by US Lightnings shortly after lifting off the ground during an alarm start at Zilistea. Erich Müller, Ernst Beutelspacher and some young pilots fell.

[Leo Etgen]

Hello yogybär

Many thanks for your response and the clarification that Beutelspacher fell in combat with P-38 twin-engined fighters. I looked through the Strength Returns of II./SG 2 at www.ww2.dk/oob/bestand/schlacht/biisg2.html for the losses of the Gruppe in June 1944 and July 1944 it would appear that most likely both Ritterkreuzträgern were flying Fw 190 F-8 fighter-bombers when lost.

Horrido!

Leo

[yogybär]

Concerning Bleckmann, it is well possible that his A/C was hit during the ground attack mission and exploded only later.

Concerning the P-38's: Maybe someone in this forum can find out, which US unit(s) flew on that specific date, and maybe even who claimed these kills?

[CENTURION]

Hello yogybär,

I think the FW190s of the SG 2 were in combat near Buzau and Zilistea with 71 P38s of 82nd and 14th Fighter Group and 47 P51s of 31th Fighter Group.
The P38s of 82nd FG claimed 3 Ju52s, 1 He-111 and 1 FW190 destroyed, 1 FW190 probable and 2 FW190s damaged for the loss of 1 P38 (Lt. John Griffin KIA);
The P38s of 14th FG claimed 11 FW190s destroyed, 5 FW190s/Me109s probable and 9 FW190s damaged for the loss of 2 P 38s (2/Lt. Don West KIA and 2/Lt. George O'Connor POW);
The P51s of 31th FG claimed 3 FW190s and 1 Me109 destroyed for no losses;
Aside the II/SG 2 (5 KIA - 1 WIA), the Americans were involved in combat with I/JG53 who claimed 2 B24s for no loss and III/JG 77 who claimed 2 P38s, 4 B24s, 1 B24 HSS for 2 Me109s G6 destroyed and 2 Me109s G6 crashlanded (1 WIA).
I don't know if other German or Rumanian fighter units were involved in the same combat. Is anyone aware of other Axis units involved?


Best Regards
Marco

[yogybär]

The Romanian 9th FG (leader Serbanescu) claimed several P-38, I think w/o loss on that day.

Currently, I don't know what JG52 did on that day in Romania.

[yogybär]

No Gruppe of JG52 was left in Romania in late July. So, no other german units were involved, except maybe 6./JG301 and 10./JG301.

[Leo Etgen]

Hello yogybär

Many thanks for your additional information as well as Centurion for his information regarding claims and losses that day. I wish I could add something as well but honestly I do not think that I could. I can tell you, though, that JG 52 does not appear to have suffered any pilot casualties on either day according to Fast. I hope this is at least somewhat helpful for your purposes.

Horrido!

Leo

[CENTURION]

Thank you yogybär
Thank you Leo

According Reschke, 6./JG301 and 10./JG301did not suffer any loss that day.


Best Regards
Marco