Double counting the same event (Ju 86 P)?

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

A well-known incident of downing Ju 86 P-1 4./Aufkl.Gr.Ob.d.L. over Russia on 15th April 1941, you can often find information about the forced landing near another Junkers in Vinnitsa Ukraine (Ju 88?), also in April 1941. Does anyone know of any confirmation for the latter case?

Russian plane accident near Równo described as shooting, "Ju 88", not the Ju 86. Maybe we are double counting the same event?
The name of the first crew are well know but any other details from the seccond accident are unknown. It is strange?

Regards
mw

[Brian]

Hi Mirek

I can't really help, but I have the pilot's name of the Ju86P as Uffz Albert Schnetz. I understand that he and his crew (identities unknown to me) were interned but released prior to the invasion.

Are the identities known of the Russian fighter pilots involved?

PS:
I've just found on the net mention of the above falling to the 4th Fighter Regiment operating MiG-3s, but no pilot names. The 4th was also credited with two other high-altitude rece aircraft before the war broke out in June. So possibly one of those is the subject of your enquiry.

I also note that on 10 April, three MiG-3s of the 31st Fighter Regt crashed while attempting to intercept another high-flyer, the Migs entering into irrecoverable spins forcing the pilots to bale out, one of whom was killed. Do we have names etc?

Cheers
Brian

[Mirek Wawrzynski]

Yes, the name of victor is known, it was lejt. Schounov from 46. IAP, he was flight commander.

Second name of German "civil" crew was Walther, an Unteroffizier. The accidnet took place over Kiov Special Military District, and these case with 3xMiGs had come if I am right remeber over Bialorussian Special MD.

Both Germnas had returned to own unit not before 22 VI, but after, a few days later, they had escaped from the Soviet prison.

The second case with this mysterus Ju 88 was involved also Soviet pilot, sen. lejt Alekseyev (?). He shot to tne next plane.

Of course there were several next air clashes over Russia , the next less know was on 18 VI 41, when pilot N. Bielogubov (9. MAD) had attacked a German plane, he shot it down, the crew of two (?) was dead. Shot down plan had crashed near German sidoe of border. The pilot was imedietly, after landing, arrested and ASAP put before militar court. He was sentenced to death.

[Brian]

Hi Mirek

Many thanks for the additional information, most interesting.

Excuse my ignorance, but why was Bielogubov arrested, charged and sentenced to death? And was he in fact executed?

Surely one of our experts will have details of German losses in the area for April 1941?

Thanks again
Brian