German floatplanes in the Aegean

[byron-]

On January 27th 1944, a formation of 3 Ju 52 floatplanes, escorted by an equal number of Arado 196s of 1. Staffel 126, were sighted to the west of Mykonos. Four 603 Squadron Beaufighters attacked and in the fight all the Junkers were shot down, as well as two of the Arados.
(ULTRA NOTE: The convoy of 3 Ju.52 and 3 Ar.196 wiped out by enemy heavy fighter patrol near MYKONOS. Sea rescue operation by 4 Ju.88 of ZG.26, 3 Ar.196 and 1 Do.24, without result so far.)




The Arados:

27.01.44 FF. Gfr. Horst Pfützner, Ar 196 A3 (D1+AH, W.Nr. 0154) 100% , BO. Ltn. Wolfgang Reichel, both (m.)

27.01.44 FF. Fw. Gustav Zobel, Ar 196 A3 (D1+CH, W.Nr. 0328) 100%, BO. Uffz. Herbert Thurner, both (m.)

27.01.44 Ar 196 A3 (D1+FH, W.Nr. 0297) 5%. After being hit was ditched and taxied onto the beach at Delos, the crew unhurt.

The 3 Ju 52 sea were shot down (War diary Seeko Attika S.490).

The Ju 52 sea:

FF. Uffz. Kurt Werner (+), Ju 52 sea (TE+DZ ex 8A+GL, W.Nr. 6987) 100%, BO. Ofw. Heinz Hieke, BF. Uffz. Philipp Beisel, BS. Gfr. Willy Nau (+), Ing. of 7. Seenotstaffel Ofw. Erich Burckhardt.

FF. Ofw. Heinrich Sellhorn-Timm, Ju 52 3m5e (DE+TS, ex 8A+GJ, W.Nr. 7126) 100%, BF. Uffz. Heinz Bunge, BO. Uffz. Erich Weidner, BS. Uffz. Werner Pankoke, all (+) 27.01.44 + 11 guests,

FF. ….Hans Cremer, Ju 52 sea with 3 guests and 11 soldiers ditched and taxied onto the beach at Delos, all survived the crash.


The following entry was made in the KTB of Gen.d.Lw.b.Ob.d.M. for February 1944 (translated from German)
Extract from report Seenotdienst dated 02.02.44.
Addition to report dated 29.01: Athens 27.01. Qu. 5852/23 Ost, 3 Ju 52 and 3 Ar 196 shot down. Five men from a Ju 52 of 1. and 3. Seetransportfliegerstaffel rescued themselves, two men from an Ar 196 of 1. Aufkl.Fl.Gr. 126 and seven men from the Kriegsmarine (passengers) did the same. Missing are nine crew members from 1. and 3. Seetransportfliegerstaffel, four crew members of 1. Aufkl.Fl.Gr.126 and 27 passengers.


regards