Lt. Albert Sachs, SAAF, 92 Sq 5 Dec 43

[DavidIsby]

On 5 December, 1943, Lieutenant Albert Sachs, SAAF, of 92 Squadron, attacked a staffel of Fw 190 fighter bombers near Pescara. He shot down one. Then a second exploded so close it damaged Sachs’ Spitfire VIII. A third Fw 190 collided with him. Sachs was able to bail out and was picked up by friendly Italians.

What sources are there for this apparently epic combat? I would be most grateful for any references.

Thanks,
David Isby

[Revi16]

Any help?

JF613 VIII 4488 HPA M63 FF 26-6-43 12MU 28-6-43 47MU 9-7-43 Fort Chesterfield 11-7-43 Casablanca 29-7-43 NWAfrica 92S Collided with Fw190 and abandoned nr Pescara 5-12-43

http://www.spitfires.ukf.net/p046.htm

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi,

The only Luftwaffe losses in combat on this day were: one Bf 109 of I./J.G. 53 shot down, and another Bf 109 of I./J.G. 53 damaged. No FW 190s were damaged or lost in combat on 5 December 1943.

Cheers,
Andrew A.

Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com

[DavidIsby]

Thanks.

Does anyone have access to the privately-published 92 Sq history THE GREATEST SQUADRON and can check and see what they say about this incident? Any possible German sources?

Unfortunately, the SAAF history on Italy only really covers the SAAF squadrons.

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi,

The 92 Squadron ORB entry for this combat is reproduced in the book written by Max Avery and Christopher Shores, Spitfire Leader, and reads as follows:

“Lt. Sachs destroyed two FW 190s and probably destroyed another. His story is an epic. He positioned himself behind the twelve-plus fighter-bombers while two others attacked the fighter cover. After destroying an FW 190 with a one-second burst, Lt. Sachs saw another on the tail of a Spitfire, so he turned into it, firing a 30-degree deflection shot, then fired again from point-blank range astern.

The aircraft blew up, and portions hit Sachs’ windscreen, smashing it, while another large piece struck his starboard wing.

FW 190s were then diving on him from both sides and one shell exploded on his tail plane, blowing off his starboard elevator. He turned toward another FW 190 which as attacking him at point-blank range on his port side, and felt a jar as he collided with it. The enemy aircraft dived away out of control minus its fin and rudder.

The attack continued and finally, after his elevator and aileron control were useless, Lt. Sachs was forced to bail out. He landed safely in his own lines within 60 yards of the wreckage of his Spitfire."

Hope that is of interest.

Cheers,
Andrew A.

Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi,

I should have checked all of my sources before posting.

The three victory claims made by Lt. Albert Sachs were on a mission between 11:20 and 12:45, for three FW 190s destroyed (including two in a collision). A 92 Squadron pilot claimed another FW 190 damaged in this combat.

I./J.G. 53 flew fighter-bomber escort between 11:50 and 13:00, and although there was combat with four Spitfires, the Gruppe reported no aircraft damaged or lost.

The two known German aircraft casualties of this day (both from I./J.G. 53) were hit during an afternoon mission, from 14:50 to 16:10, in another combat with 92 Squadron.

Sources
- 92 Squadron ORB
- Frank Olynyk victory claims material
- Arno Fischer Logbook
- Genst.Gen.Qu.6.Abt. loss material
- Avery & Shores, Spitfire Leader

Cheers,
Andrew A.

Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com