Ju 88 A-5, WNr. 4332, IV./KG 3, lost 17 January 1943

[George 118]

Hello all,

I am researching a Luftwaffe loss and would appreciate any help. The aircraft in question is a Junkers Ju 88 A-5, Werknummer 4332, from IV./KG 3, which was lost on 17 January 1943, reportedly over or near the Channel.

So far I have found only a basic loss entry (no cause given). I am hoping to learn more about:

The mission type or target on that date

Circumstances of the loss (accident, interception, flak, etc.)

Names of the full crew, if recorded

Any corresponding Allied claims or combat reports

If anyone has access to KG 3 war diary (KTB) entries, casualty lists, or combat reports that might shed light on this loss, I would be very grateful.

Many thanks in advance,
George

[Nick Beale]

If anyone has access to KG 3 war diary (KTB) entries, casualty lists, or combat reports that might shed light on this loss, I would be very grateful.

The good news is that everyone now has easy access to Luftwaffe loss reports online. They can be viewed or downloaded free from the Bundesarchiv website. The ones for January 1943 are in file RL 2-III/1185: https://invenio.bundesarchiv.de/inve...-dc70c441686d/

[George 118]

Hi Nick,
Thank you so much for showing me how to find the Luftwaffe loss reports online. I was able to find out that it was the Ju 88 A-5, WNr. 4332 crew were the :
Fw. Horstmann, Paul F
Gefr. Ihnken, Heinrich B
Gefr. Willhöft, Ewald Bf
Gefr. Rethweiler, Johann Bs
I noticed that the reason of the crash (Absturz) does not appear in it.

I really appreciate your help

[Brian Bines]

There was a raid on London on 17/18th Jan with 4332 showing as crashing by Poix another IV/KG 53 aircraft came down in the sea w.n.3311 in PLQu 4469 04 Ost .This was believed shot down by W/C Raphael of 85 Sqd and German record show emergency landing on sea RL 2-III/1185 page 124 . Crew of Ltn Werner Galipp shown as missing , later the body of Bs Flg Paul Hauptmann was washed ashore see RL 2-III/1188 page 156

Regards
Brian Bines

[George 118]

From Simon Parry Beaufighter, p.32 book I read that ''A Ju88 A5 of IV./KG3 was in trouble on its return from London. At 21.17 hours a distress signal was sent, 'Engine failure - Landing in sea'. Its control called on radio for half an hour but there was no reply. All four of its crew died when their aircraft fell into the sea off Boulogne''.
The author believes that it was the Junkers 4332 of IV./KG 3 that was damaged by a Beaufighter of RAF No. 29 Sqn, piloted by W/C Wight-Boycott.

[Nick Beale]

Bundesarchiv RL 2-II/415 says that 94 tonnes of HE and 34 tonnes of incendiaries were dropped on London on the night of 17/18 January.