II./JG 53 on 30 january 1944

[veltro]

Is it possible to have confirmation of the start base of the Bf 109s of the unit on that day?

The question arises because the unit was based at Wien-Seyring on that period, but since it was involved in combat (with losses) against 4-engine bombers with escort attacking Udine area on 30 january 1944 and Udine is over 350km from there, it is legitimate to ask wheter it was a "shuttle" mission or the unit was sent on a south-western route regardless of the distance to intercept the enemy (which is strange).

Any clue?

Thanks in advance.

[Nick Beale]

I only have information for the 16th and 31st:

(VL 4298) Thirty-six Bf 109 of II./JG 53 scrambled at 10.30/16 without interception. Eleven landed at Seyring at 12.30; 22 at Maribor at 13.00, returning to Seyring on 17th. Three force landed on a road owing lack of fuel.

(VL 5344) II./JG 53 ops report at 12.30/31 included: three Liberators claimed, including one by “ramming”. 19 aircraft landed in Seyring, four landed (slight indications away from station) including two as a result of being shot up. Three pilots bailed out, one aircraft and pilot found burnt out. Four aircraft missing, five pilots missing (comment: so accounting for four missing and one burnt out aircraft above).

(VL 5332) When several waves from south attacked Klagenfurt on 31st, II./JG 53 scrambled at 10.25 on defensive patrol and escort for 19 Me 110. No contact. Two ops by three aircraft at a time: defensive patrol over Klagenfurt 113.30–16.15.

[veltro]

Thanks, Nick.

Yet, since the mission of 16th January ended with several aircraft having fuel problems with a mass landing in Maribor just over 200 km from Wien, I wonder if a mission extending over 150 km farther was normal or if it was planned as a Wien --> Maniago (or Lavariano) and return mission or else...