Bf-109F-4 w.n. 8973

[Nikita Egorov]

Gentlemen,

How this plane reported in GQ?

TIA

[John Beaman]

It would appear there are some unresolved descrepancies here. The first listing is 100%. The second, a week before is 35%. The last in 1945 shows 95%. Not sure how that is possible if the 29-Jul-41 is accurate.


Bf 109F-2, 8973,n.n., III.JG 3, GB+KW, 29-Jul-41, Luftkampf. Notlandung., Ostfront, Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, VI.1, p.151; Prien, III./JG 3, p.448, Raum Kiew100%


Bf 109F-2, 8973, n.n., 2.JG 51, GB+KW, 11-Jul-42 Landing accident., WNr. 8975 per Prien., Lw.Kdo.Ost/Eins., Osten, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #6)-Vol.10; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, IX.2, p.275, Krassilina, 35%


Bf 109F-2, 8973, Nicklas, Fhr. Heinz, JG 101, GB+KW, 02-Feb-45, Injured in crash.
Gen.d.Fl.Ausbildung, Gen.Qu.6.Abt.-BA-MA Signatur RL 2 III/766, p.102,
bei Osterhofen, 90%,H

[Rasmussen]

Originally Posted by John Beaman

The first listing is 100%. The second, a week before is 35%. The last in 1945 shows 95%. Not sure how that is possible if the 29-Jul-41 is accurate.

The first loss was reported as 100 % at first. Later - after the occupation of the area - the a/c was founded and repaired. The second loss was an year later (not an week before). The a/c was repaired again and given to an school unit --- quite simple.

In the last JFV 11 I gave Mr. Prien some other examples of Bf 109 reported in GQM as 100% and later rescued by Lz.3/108 (North Africa) with 20 % or 70 %.

Best regards
Rasmussen

[Nikita Egorov]

Thank you, Gentlemen.

This plane was captured and abandoned only in June 1942. I wonder how Germans managed to overhaul it to flying conditions...

[Jim P.]

Note that I added the notation to the loss listed by John B. that WNr. 8975 was quoted by Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände. That was likely the correct WNr. - which solves the problem. JG 51, per their losses, got a lot 'hand-me-down' 109F-2s.

I have two earler entries for WNr. 8975:
Bf 109F-2, 8975, KEMETHMÜLLER, Uffz. Heinz, , III., 8., JG 3, , < + |, GB+KY, , 02-Aug-41, Flew this machine and encountered 4 'Severskys'., RK., Lfl.4/Eins.Osten, FB Kemethmüller, , Raum Kiew, -, F, , ,
Bf 109F-2, 8975, n.n., , III., Stab III., JG 3, , < + |, GB+KY, , 09-Aug-41, Luftkampf with enemy fighters., WNr. 8925 per Prien. WNr. 8975 per FB Kemethmüller., Lfl.4/Eins.Osten, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #4)-Vol.6; Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, VI.1, p.151; Prien, III./JG 3, p.448, , Fl.Pl. Wassilkow, 40%, F, , ,

It was only 40% damaged per the 9-Aug loss report. Note that WNr. 8925 is quoted by Prien, et al, Die Jagdfliegerverbände, but WNr. 8975 in Mr. Prien and team's previous JG 3 history, and the FB of Heinz Kemethmüller specifically reports the WNr. 8975 and '<' for his single flight on 2-Aug.