Enigmatic He111 6N+IL from 3./KG100

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello friends,

The book "Kampfgeschwader 100 Wiking" by Ulf Balke on pages 144-154 contains a nice story from memories of Lt Gerhard Puklitsch. He111 6N+IL from 3./KG100 during the raid against Saratow at night 13/14.Jun.1943 was damaged by AA fire and forced landed in the deep Russian rear.

The crew - Hptm Helmut Fritzsche (FF, Staka), Lt Gerhard Puklitsch (BO), Obfw Schwarz (BF), Uffz Streicher (BS) - was evacuated at night 15/16.Jun by He111 6N+MH from 1./KG100.

A nice story, but 100-% loss of 6N+IL is absent in GQM returns.

Whether there is the documentary evidence of that event?

Best regards,
Andrey

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Almost two years later...

Yesterday I have found in TsAMO an inspection report (16.Jun.43) of joint committee of counterintelligence, AA defense and local authority about He111 WerkNr 110017 which has landed ~235 km sw Saratow at night 13/14.Jun.1943.
Due to damages of the propellers was established that the left motor has stopped in the air but the right motor has worked during the landing. It well correspond to the story in the book about KG100. Fuselage, wings and tail were damaged by the debris from AA shells, also some damages from fighter fire (entry holes from above). According to the document, the final reason of the landing was depletion of engine oil because the oil radiator was pierced by fighter fire.

Board code "6 N L" ("6 № Л" in Russian) mentioned in the report is obviously means “6N+…L” i.e. 3./KG100. Letter "I" was probably omitted in the same manner as "+" i.e. was assumed that it was a symbol, not a letter.

Crew was absent as well as two rifle caliber MGs, a flare gun and a “small radio set”.

It is interesting that the loss of He111 WerkNr 110017 is absent in GQM returns.
Matti Salonen let me know that WerkNr 110017 should be He111H-11 modification.

Best regards,
Andrey

[Merlin]

Andrey,

I have the WNr. 110017 as G1+NT from 9./KG 55 destroyed in an emergency landing near Knjaschheskaja two days later on 16.06.43.

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello Merlin,

What is the source about G1+NT from 9./KG 55???
III./KG55 hadn't 100-% losses on 15-16.06.43 as far as I know

Best regards,
Andrey

[Dénes Bernád]

W.Nr. 110017 was indeed a He 111H-11, Stkz. GF+TG.

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello Dénes,

is the career of W.Nr. 110017 known after arrival to the combat unit?

Best regards,
Andrey

[RT]

Is there any Wn for the motors given ???

Rémi

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello Rémi,

Originally Posted by RT

Is there any Wn for the motors given ???

In this case not given, unfortunately.

Best regards,
Andrey

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Originally Posted by Merlin

I have the WNr. 110017 as G1+NT from 9./KG 55 destroyed in an emergency landing near Knjaschheskaja two days later on 16.06.43.

Hello Merlin,

The info seems doubtful but I'll try to check the fact of emergency landing of G1+NT during the next visit to TsAMO.
It will be more easily if you give a clue about your source.

Best regards,
Andrey