Three JG 54 claims in the East - what was their location?

[Paul Thompson]

A fellow researcher has asked for help with three Eastern Front claims - what is the location given for Fritz Tegtmeier's, Helmut Missner's and Otto Venjakob's victory claims on 16 February 1944? They were pilots of JG 54 at the time.

Warm regards,

Paul

[Russell]

Hi Paul;

Tegtmeier 75 842 3500m at 1110 north of Minsk

Missner 53 411 3000m at 1410 SE Baranowitzke

Venjakob 40 832 3000m at 1421 NW of Brody


Cheers

Russell

[Paul Thompson]

Hello Russell,

Thank you for a prompt response. Is there any chance that these locations were misreported and the actual claim locations were over Estonia? I believe I./JG 54 was based at modern-day Rakvere (called Wesenberg during the Nazi occupation) at the time. Therefore, it would not have been possible for the unit to shoot down aircraft over central Belorussia or western Ukraine at that time.

Warm regards,

Paul

[Rasmussen]

Originally Posted by Paul Thompson

... modern-day Rakvere (called Wesenberg during the Nazi occupation)...

Was called Wesenberg since 1250 ... long before Nazi occupation ...

[Paul Thompson]

Originally Posted by Rasmussen

Was called Wesenberg since 1250 ... long before Nazi occupation ...

Correct, but was not called Wesenberg since it was rebuilt after the treaty of Nystadt of 1720,having been burned down by Russian soldiers.

Regards,

Paul

[Kari Lumppio]

Hello!

I think Peter Rodeike's Fw 190 book has photo of I/JG 54 Fw 190s at Rakvere. It is not identified in the caption, but an Estonian fellow of mine recognized the castle remains in background horizon.

The scene is looking much like January-February and is from 1944. Perhaps a forward echelon/detachment?

Cheers,
Kari

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi Paul,

I./J.G. 54 was still at Orscha in early and mid-February 1944.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

[Paul Thompson]

Originally Posted by Andrew Arthy

I./J.G. 54 was still at Orscha in early and mid-February 1944.

Thank you for that, Andrew. The claim locations do not make sense even if the unit was at Orscha, unfortunately. Orsha is more than 600 km from Brody and closer to the frontline (Venjakob), 200 kilometres from Minsk (Missner) and 330 kilometres from Baranowicze.

Does any member have the Luftwaffe Aces books by Matthews and Foreman? I mean these volumes - http://www.wingleader.co.uk/shop/luf...d-edition-set/

They could contain data which can clarify the issue.

Warm regards,

Paul