Ju 88 Ca-6 mechanic gunner position

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Gentlemen,

The daytime used Ju 88 C-6a's ventral Bodenlafette gondola was pretty cramped due to the two extra 2 cm MG FF cannons. Yet, the gondolas defensive double machinegun was sometimes life saving.
So, despite of the extra cramped place and the possible danger for the gunner if they had to make a quick belly landing, what was the standard procedure with the position at German Kampfgeschwaders? Did they always manned the mechanic gunner position or used sometimes the Ca-6s with only 3-man crew, without mechanic gunner?

[Chris Goss]

C-6s on V./KG 40 were always 3 man crew-pilot, Beobachter, BF. Likewise 10 & 11./ZG 26