Whitley Claims 1942

[Adam]

On 22.08.42 Uffz. Herbert Gumprecht claimed a Whitley V shot down (1940hrs), while on 21.09.42 Oblt Bruno Stolle claimed one also (2005hrs). Then on 29.10.42 Oblt Armin Landmann claimed one also (1842hrs).

All were members of 8./JG 2.

Can someone verify their losses and shed some light onto these machines identities and their respective missions (if indeed they were correctly identified and lost).

Thanks in advance

Adam

[robert]

Hi,

Bruno Stolle probably victim was Whitley Z9472 from 10 OTU.


Regards

Robert

[Laurent Rizzotti]

8./JG 2 was at the time operating from Britanny over the Bay of Biscay to chase Coastal Command aircraft that themselves chased U-Boats. Part of this planes were outdated British bombers, including Whitley of 10 OTU (detached to Coastal Command for ASW duties) and probably other units.

Post a query on the RAF Commands forum (http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/d...conf=DCConfID1). The moderator, Ross McNeill, is a Coastal Command specialist and the author of the book 'Coastal Command Losses vol 1', covering 1939-41 losses. He is working on the following book. He will probably identify the victims.

[Chris Goss]

I have matched all the 8/JG 2 losses over the Bay and will enlighten you when I get home tonight!

[Chris Goss]

22 Aug 42, Gumprecht's kill was west of Brest at 1940 hrs and there were 2 losses from 10 OTU, one (Z6645/V-Sgt E J W Davis) came down 180 miles south of Bishop's Rock, probably due to engine failure; Z9294 (Plt Off C Neve) could well have been his victim

21 Sep 42-Stolle's kill was NW Quimper 200 hrs which was Z6795 of 10 OTU (Plt Off N J Mundell)

29 Oct 42-Landsmann's kill was probably Z6579 of 10 OTU (Plt Off M G Grant)

[Adam]

Chris et al,

Thanks for the info, though something else I would like to clarify. On the claims forms [Tony Wood] Oblt Stolle is listed as serving with several different staffel. Chris, in your book you quote Stolle concerning a wellington he shot down on 18-08-42 (from memory - I'm at work at the moment), and although this is mentioned in the claims forms it lists Stolle as flying with/for 4./JG 2, while his/your narative along with passing mention by John Weal have him in 8 staffel. Similarly, a few months later on a claim he is listed as flying with/for Stab III/JG 2.

Was perhaps this just misinterpretation by those filling out the eventual claim forms or was it in fact because Stolle was leant to or on detachment to these units?

Thanks again.

Adam

[Chris Goss]

Stolle was with 8/JG 2 from 1940-43 when (in Jul 43) he took command of III/JG 2 hence the Stab III