4/126 1 Jun 44

[Chris Goss]

Ofw Kurt Chalupka/Oblt Schäfer, Ofw Rupp/Oblt Richter, Ofw Kurth/Lt Böcking and Uffz Hässler/Uffz Busse of 4/126 claimed 4 Beaufighters between them off Crete 1810-1812 hrs on 1 Jun 44. 4 Beaufighters were lost (albeit at least one was due to Flak) but were there any 4/126 casualties and does anyone know the fates of the above (apart from Chalupka)?

[Nick Beale]

This could be relevant perhaps …

[RT]

From KTB KM, damages were soft less than 10 %

1 6 44 2 SAGr,126 Heraklion 10/15 km N, Besch,eig, truppen AR196A-5 623004 D1+EK 1
1 6 44 2 SAGr,126 Heraklion 10/15 km N, Besch,eig, truppen AR196A-5 623056 6
1 6 44 4 SAGr,126 Dia 26 km N X AR196A-5 1960349

Rémi

[yogybär]

Originally Posted by RT

Besch,eig, truppen

I would interprete this as "Beschuß eigene Truppen", meaning "friendly fire"...

[RT]

Yogi , for that very clever finding I give 12/20

Rémi

[Stig Jarlevik]

Chris

Is there perhaps a relevant description of this battle?
With a rather inadequate defence I always thought that the Ar 196 best way when attacked was to turn as h..l. This in itself makes any shooting back rather difficult.....
Getting three (or four) Beaufighters for no own losses is rather remarkable and this fight may be a very unique one. The Beaufigher surely both outgunned and had better self protection than the Ar 196. So how could this happen? Is it a classic case of the British fighters slowing down and trying to turn with his enemy?

Cheers
Stig

[Chris Goss]

Stig: I have the 252 Sqn ORB for this day which makes no mention of any aircraft being lost to Ar 196s. However, 4 Beaufighters were lost that day-LZ517 (603 Sqn), NF641 (16 SAAF), JL892 (227 Sqn) and NE293 (252 Sqn). All I can say is LZ517 is reported as being lost around 1600 hrs (too early), NE293 to Flak (the photo of this ac on fire is in the ORB) and the photo I have of NF641 shows it on fire, engine stopped headed for Crete. Nevertheless, the Germans did allow these claims and Ar 196s were successful against Wellingtons, Whitleys etc over the Bay of Biscay

[yogybär]

Originally Posted by RT

Yogi , for that very clever finding I give 12/20

Rémi

Oh, merci beaucoup. For 13/20, I would have got a box of Gauloise Blondes? Sorry, man, one never knows what people understand of the German words they quote and what not . Looks I underestimated you .

Anyway: Still, I find all informations here rather "not-fitting-together"

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Chris

Thought the action was verified. Makes better sense if this a case of overclaiming....

Cheers
Stig