Me262s on 31st March 1945

[debowa]

I'm about to start painting the fifth subject in the RLM Collection which will depict Me262s in combat with Lancasters on 31st March 1945 over Hamburg. Clearly they were from JG7 but can anyone give me a clear ID on a particular airframe so that I can make it the central subject? I'd also be interested to know if they were likely to have been carrying any extra rocket armament during this interception.

Any help would be much appreciated.


Mark Postlethwaite
www.posart.com

[O.Menu]

Hi Mark,

Information from Manfred Boehme JG7 book, Schiffer Ed, p 137:

With 21 kills, during 4 missions, 31 Marsh 45 had been JG7 greatest one-day success of the war.

The first mission, on early morning, with 20 Me 262 from I./JG7 + 7 from III./JG7 + a little later 8 more Me 262 from 9 and 10./JG7, got 13 Lancasters and Halifaxes kills over 419, 429, 431, 434, 408, 415 and 425 Squadrons.

R4M rockets were used with success. But were very probably fired only by III./JG7 since I./JG7 was not yet cleared to used them if i m right.

Known pilots involved in this first mission: Oblt.Stehle, Oblt. Grünberg, Flieger Gerhard Reiher, Oblt. Sturm, Lt. Todt, Lt. F.W. Schenk, Oblt. Schall, Fhr. Ehrig, Lt. Weihs. (Nothing about individual callsign)

No losses recorded for JG7.

Cheers,
Olivier,
(an happy owner from "War in the Air" a book about your very impressive art work collection: http://www.posart.com/index.cfm?page=book )

[Erich]

March 18, 45 the first useage of R4M's was the greatest singular success achieved by JG 7 in the spring of 45 against one air force, and yes I./JG 7 was equipped with R4M's by March 45's end.

31 March was a two front victory regarding the RAF/RCAF and the later in the day attack with Stab JG 7 and 11th staffel against the US 8th AF bombers. Claims of 6 US heavies downed but I need to make a cross check on that.....

Mark you received by private yes ?

Erich

[debowa]

Thanks to you both for the information and the PMs, I should just about have enough to work on now. Glad you like the book Olivier, hopefully this new painting will appear in volume 2!

Mark

[O.Menu]

Just found that Hermann Buchner also claimed one Lancaster on this 31st March morning. A copy from his "Flugbush" is printed in his book "Stormbird" >> he flew aircraft Nb "11" that day but what was the correct color?
9./JG7 flew both yellow and white digits but Buchner seems to remember more a black one...
I would bet for white...
Perhaps Erich or Dan could help...


Edited: Just to add that Buchner was leading a kette and probably had R4M...

[O.Menu]

After further reading into "Stormbird" book p134 and into "Me 262 diary".

Buchner took-off at 8h37 in a formation of seven Me 262 Oblt. Schall leadind a schwarm of 4 and Buchner a kette of 3.

Lancasters were surprised without fighter escort flying a night flight formation, staggered about 100m deep and 2000m wide, Flying North on their way to Hamburg.

On their first attack they claimed seven Lancasters destroyed by R4M only, included one for Buchner. 2nd attack was with guns but with far less good results thanks to good evading from the bombers.

Buchner landed at Parchim after a 55mn flight.

[mightythor99]

any information on a german pilot, of me 262's, name was/is otto kalmbach? he was a glider pilot in the mid 30's, then stuka pilot, then heikel 110's and 111's, then was a flight instructor, then became a me-262 pilot. he was in geschwader hindenburg in the early part of the war. he probably flew on many of these missions as well.
thanks!!

[birger_egil]

Is the werkenr. of Schall's machine red 4 known? Are there any excisting pictures of this machine in print or on the net?

Best regards,

Arild Tiller

[vzlion]

It might be worthy of note the the following entry also appears in Dan O'Connell's excellent book:

500045 Call sign PS+IN. Me 262 A-1a. This A-1a is known to have served with 9./JG 7 at least during February and March of 1945, and flown by Ofw. Helmut Lennartz and Ofw. Hermann Buchner. 'Yellow 8'.

Walt

[Burley]

This is my first posting. I have found listings on the web of the RCAF and RAF planes shot down March 31, 1945 but they only contain the type of plane - Lancaster, Halifax, etc.

Are there any published records of the operational reports or war diaries of the JG-7 Me262 pilots engaged in that air battle?

Do the pilots' records identify the Lancasters or Halifaxes they shot down that day and where those planes crashed or do they simply record the type of plane?

Are there records of the investigations of the crash sites of the bombers shot down?

In particular, I am trying to find out the name of the pilot who shot down my father's Lancaster "X" KB-859, coded SE-U that crashed near Hittfield, south-west of Hamburg. He was the only survivor of his crew and was sent to Stalag Luft 1.

Any help would be most most appreciated.

Thanks - Bruce