Claim by 7./JG 51 on 6 June 1944 or just a confused error?.

[Russell]

Hi everyone,

In the "victory claims files downloadable from the Budesarchiv, file RL-5-1456 p 0315 is part of the Ubersicht list for 7./JG 51. The following is an entry:
Nr Date Time Briefbuch No Ost West
589 6.06.44 10.20 1037/44 v. 12.11.44 W

with the GenSt 8 Abt order No 25/45.

The W indicates a western front claim. Given this is D Day, it might be an extraordinary claim. However, Ltn. Günther Stedtfeld of 4./JG 51 made a claim at his time on this date NW Sofia while a member of 4./JG 51 which is not confirmed in the ubersicht list for 4 Staffel. This list is entitled as being 7./JG 51 formerly 4./JG 51.. I assume therefore the powers that be attributed it to the new 7./JG 51 of II Gruppe formed in August/ September 1944 and the clerks in November 1944 put it in the old 7./JG 51 list by mistake and not the 4 staffel now renumbered 7 Staffel list, as it predates the formation of the new staffel.

Any one have any thoughts on this matter, or do you think the solution I have come up with is correct???

Regards

Russell