Questions about Oblt. Edwin Dutel, I./JG 54

[Laurent Rizzotti]

According to the late Heinz Rosipal's JG 54 loss list, Oblt. Edwin Dutel, the Adjudant of I./JG 54, went missing 24 km southeast of Schlüsselburg after the radiator of his Fw 190 A-5 WNr 2602 "white 1" was hit during an air battle.

But in Osprey's book on JG54 it is said that this loss took place on 9 April 1943.

The Volksbund is listing Edwin Dutel as missing with a loss date on "1 March 1943", that is usually meaning for missing "during March 1943".

The summary of Luftwaffe losses had no loss for I./JG 54 on 9 or 10 March 1943, and has two on 9 April 1943, while Rosipal's has only one.

So can anybody confirm one date or the other ? I will also be interested by a more precise crashplace if available, and/or by accounts from the Soviet side.

Thanks in advance

[Nokose]

Laurent,
In Prien's JFV 12/III it lists 09Apr43 Jabo I./JG 54 Oblt. Edwin Dutel (KIA) in an air battle with P-40, 24 km SE of Schluesselburg, 100% Fw 190 A-5 wrk. 2602.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Nokose,

24 km SE of Schluesselburg is roughly in the Apraksin / Slavyanka area.

Does anyone know a Soviet claim in this area this day ?

[Nokose]

Laurent,
I didn't find any of the Soviet aces that flew the Curtiss P-40 claiming a Fw 190 for the 09Apr43. It could have been a group kill or someone that never made ace. Red Army units and PVO units in the Leningrad region flew P-40s during that time.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Nokose for the search, even unsuccessful.