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

[Nick Beale]

Byron, did you mean to ask a question about this?

[edNorth]

Fluggast = passengers

I can ask question; who was third plane (number or code)

[RT]

To add some spices, seems there not 1 but 2 more Ju52 for a total of 30 passengers .

Rémi

[byron-]

No questions Nick,

only the interesting story. It is amazing what the Beaufighters achieved over the Aegean. Look the Blenheims, bombing the harbor of Preveza (Ionian sea).
Ηι Remi, i think 3 Ju 52 can load 30 passengers

[Chris Goss]

I have a few more originals showing the Preveza attack if anyone is interested taken from an album of 300 camera gun shots kept by the CO of 252 Sqn. Always thought about a book just using these photos......

[byron-]

I am one Chris

i think you have my mail

[RT]

Hello Byron, 30 pass. just for the 2 unkown Ju52, what is also confirmed by the "Bestände" for the 26.Jan.44 nd of 29.Jan.44, 1.St. planes reduce from 10 to 9, 3.St. from 8 to 5 , nd also crew reduced from 13 to 12 , nd 8 to 5.

Interesting would be to hv the monthly losses for these units

Rémi


Picture above Preveza, let thinking that there is not Flak everywhere at that time.

[Siko54]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

I have a few more originals showing the Preveza attack if anyone is interested taken from an album of 300 camera gun shots kept by the CO of 252 Sqn. Always thought about a book just using these photos......

You've just sold your first copy Chris

[andy bird]

Chris,

Tried to pitch a 'Strike Wing' book on Beaufighter's / Mosquito variants at Osprey recently but apparently there is a limited market !

Perhaps I went to the wrong person

Andy B.