Help with Tunisian grid reference please

[Ben...]

Hi

I have a grid reference, QU 2953 but i'm having trouble finding it using the luftwaffe Gradnetz system.

I know it is for late December 1942 and is from 5.(pz)/Sch.G.1 who were operating around the El Aouina, Tunisia area. I believe QU 2953 isn't a complete code but can the area mentioned help with the missing details?

If any of you can help with completing the missing sections of the grid referance i would be very pleased. The more i try to read descriptions of how the codes work, the more i confuse myself!

Many Thanks in advance

Ben

[Nick Beale]

I can't locate the place for you but I don't think there's anything wrong with the reference you have, it just doesn't use the later fighter grid - that wasn't introduced until 1 June 1943.

The "QU" bit isn't the square between "QT" and "QV" (as it would be in the later system), rather it stands for "Quadrat" or grid square.

[FrankieS]

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp...0pBa#map1-link

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi

I see that FrankieS probably have been using my website, and added the 03 Ost prefix which would seem to be correct, the 13 Ost also being quite probable as the location given for the target for the operation would be in 13 Ost.

However, in my opinion the grid given should be checked again (what is the source for it anyway? Loss record, KTB?), as both the proposed prefixes would make this aircraft firmly plunging into the Mediterrenean sea, quite a bit north of the proposed operation area.

Best regards,
Andreas B

[FrankieS]

Hi Andreas !

... used my LUMA, by the way ... ;-)

bye to Norway

[Andreas Brekken]

Hehe... should have thought as much...

Regards,
Andreas B

[Andy Fletcher]

4.(Pz)./Sch.G. 1 was operating on the Eastern Front as of Dec42

However 4.(Pz)./Sch.G. 2 was in the MTO during Dec42

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Nokose]

The W.nr 0269 was loss on 27Dec42 belonged to Oblt. Franz Oswald 4.(Pz)/Sch.G 1. He sated that he went down in a lake near the road. He evaded French troops to get back to German lines.
Hope that helps,
Michael

[Andy Fletcher]

44 Ost 2953 is ~60 nautical miles ENE of Tazinskaya (~120 nautical miles WSW of Stalingrad) where 4.(Pz)./Sch.G. 1 was based at the time.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Andy Fletcher]

Wasn't Franz Oswald St.Kap. 8.(Pz)/Sch.G. 2 at this time? This would tie in as 8.(Pz)/Sch.G. 2 was based at El Aouina (having been formed from 5./Sch.G. 1 during Dec42)