Fw-190D losses, 14 February 1945

[stevefarr]

I know that there was a similar thread ("Claims from Mustang Units 14th Feb 1945" and "Late-war Bf 109 question") a few years ago that discussed Luftwaffe losses on this date; one mentioned that Robin Olds had the only Fw claim by the 479th FG that day. Officially, that's true, but as it turned out Lt David Born's Me-109 claim was actually an Fw-190D. He saw the inline engine and the air intake on the side (granted the right side, but he was a bit busy at the time) and claimed a 109. Later, maybe much later, the camera footage revealed the correct e/a. Incidentally, many photos taken by Mr. Born including some from gun camera of that engagement are featured Terry Fairfield's "479th Fighter Group in World War II".

Anyway, to my query …. Mr. Born and his son asked me if I knew which unit he engaged. Quick guess was III/JG301, but I was hoping that someone could provide a reference to Fw-190D (maybe a TA-152, but I doubt it) losses on 14 Feb 45; engagement occurred between Magdeburg and SW Berlin approximately 1210-1240 hrs.

Cheers,
Steve

[David E. Brown]

Hi Steve,

On this particular date and general area, it could be either of these two kites:

WNr.210238: "ge.16", 7./II./JG 301. Lt. Hans-Joachim Stuck, WIA. Crash landing east of Leipzig; shot down by P-51 escort for bombers on Dresden raid. Aircraft destroyed.

WNr.210919: "ge.13", 7./II./JG 301. Obfw. Willi Frank, KIA. Shot down by P-51 escort for bombers on Dresden raid. Aircraft destroyed.

I don't have a map in front of me, but I list this one just in case:

WNr.210136: Code unknown, 1./I./JG 2. Fw. Hermann Hofmeister, KIA. Shot down by USAAF P-51s at Brückerhausen (SW. Limburg). I/JG 2 Verlustmeldung reports 24/02/45 as date of loss. Aircraft destroyed.

Cheers,

David

[stevefarr]

David,

Excellent news (well, news to me). Given that Olds and Born seemed to be the only ones from the 479th to have gotten the best of the 190s that day, this could very well likely be the a/c that I'm looking for.

If you're interested, combat reports from that day from both pilots available at:
http://www.spitfireperformance.com/m...t-reports.html

Tough to say from the reports which one could have crash landed.

Thanks so much.