Croatian Plane Losses Sept-Oct 1941

[Michal]

Hello,

I am looking for information about losses of Croatian Planes during transfer flights from Jagdfliegerschule to Eastern Front September-October 1941. I am interested in name of pilots, type of planes, serial number, reason of crash and location and date of crash.

Thanks for help

Michal

[Leendert]

Michal,

What I gather from the book "In the Skies of Europe" by Hans Werner Neulen, Croatian bomber crews formed 10. and 15./KG 3 flying the DO-17Z in the timeframe you're looking for.

As for fighters, 10th Jato with Bf 109E/F was sent to the Eastern front in October 1941 and was attached to JG 52 (15./JG 52).

The book does not embark on losses during the transfer flights, but if any, then most likely of above mentioned types.

Regards,

Leendert

[Boris Ciglic]

Transfer flight of 15/JG 52 started from Fürth on 28 September with 10 Me 109E and 1 Me 109F. It took nine days to complete and it was done in etapes: Fürth - Praha/Kbely - Krakow - Lwov (Lemberg) - Vinica - Kirovgrad - Poltava. Three Messerschmitts were destroyed already during the first leg of the journey. Planes flew in line and one pilot lost the one in front of him in deteriorating weather as darkness began to fall, thus all behind him got lost. Oblt Ivan Karner tried to land on a field near Milovice, north of Prague with extended landing gear but overturned and was killed. Maj Mato Culinovic crash-landed near Biskovice and was wounded. Third Emil flown by Hptm Zlatko Stipcic also overturned in forced landing near Prague but pilot escaped injuries. Two planes were damaged on landing at Lvov on 1 October when Oblt Ljudevit Bencetic rammed the plane which landed in front of him.

[Michal]

Thanks a lot, Boris. Do you have type of crashed plane? Is W.Nr. known or not?

It seems to be Byškovice, today part of Neratovice, District Mělník, and Milovice in District Nymburk. Altough I made research on both Districts in connection to my books, never seen any Police Report about these crashes. But maybe sometimes in future something wil appear. If I will find out some documents relating to these crashes I will give you to know.

Best regards

Michal

[Boris Ciglic]

Al planes were Emils. I had the W.Nr. for some of them long time ago, but as my attention shifted from 15./JG 52 to other subjects (I tried to find them yesterday) but don't have the slightest idea where they might be now.

[Michal]

Thanks. And what about date of crashes? 28th or 29th?

Best

Michal