Loss of BV 222 V-4

[Hans Mcilveen]

Hello,

does anybody know the circumstances of the loss of BV 222 V-4 and twelve(!) Ar 196's of 2./SAGr 131 in December 1944?
Michael Holm has it here as 'Abgang ohne Feindeinw.' i.e. without enemy action.

Hans

[Brian Bines]

Hans, I had the V-4 as destroyed by its own crew at Kiel-Holtenau close to the end of the war (April 1945 ?) the article said the same thing happened to V-7 at Travenmunde,

Brian Bines

[edNorth]

Hi guys,

Please excause this note, nothing personal. It stings my eyes a tiny little bit see German RLM airplane V designation including a dash, but this is only me. There is very good guide to these matters available (regarding German designations) and I think it has been pointed out here by the moderators. Having seen some of these numbers painted on the aircraft, there it usually does not have a dash or space, but of course there could be exceptions.

This writing style is (I think mainly) English ~ American version, but also indicates to me many are not noticing to have this properly or correctly written with no dash or space. Its almost 69 years since the war era ended, so it should be correct by now (and there have been good relations with Germany since then.) Besides the BV 222 Wiking (Wiking in German) is one of the most elegant flying boats of the period and deserves a good respect, in my view. Now I put one foot in my mouth and shut up.

222 000 0004 BV 222 A / V4
[Military Transport, Bramo Fafnir 323 R engines]
DM+SE Luftwaffe - ff April 1942 - X4+DH / S4 LTS (See) 222 on 20.04.1942 (and used for transport flights between Athens and Derna but unit was renamed Luftwerkehrstaffel "C" same day - LTS (See) 222 on 10.05.1942
- Heavily damaged by RAF Beaufightars over the Mediterranean en route Lybia but managed to reach Tripoli Harbour 10.12.1942
- returned to Travemúnde in February 1943 - cv Fernaufklärer [FuG 200 "Hohentwiel" Search Radar installed] - Aufklärungsstaffel (See) 222 (Fliegerführer Atlantic) at Bicarossi in May 1943 - Unit was renamed as 1.(F)/SAGr 129 at Bicarossi in July 1943
- BV 222 1.(F)/SAGr 129 (Luftflotte 3) OPS (F) damaged in air-combat (20%) over sea <no location given> 22.10.1943 (BM Uffz. Herbert Thäringen killed) (as BV 222 004 in LWFLV losses 37v28.10.43)
- Unit was disbanded June 1944 - 2.(F)/SAGr 131 (Germany) September 1944 - Damaged or destroyed (in “non-enemy action”) causes in December 1944 (or finally Scuttled by its crew at Kiel/Holtenau 1945?)

I too wonder if the 1945 report is correct, it might have been damaged by strafing or sunk by accident/storm etc. (or simply not allowed be noted as the enemy striking it there in Kiel) or possibly the December 44 entry be in the wrong column, and 1945 note be correct. There certainly was a BV 222 sitting on BV ramp at the end of the war (Have photo but its only in a book not retrivable at the moment).

Regards
Ed

[Hans Mcilveen]

Brian,
thank you. That is what I had as well. It could be. The December loss could refer to damage less than 100%.

Ed,
Ok, sorry. Thank you for the details. I was thinking the cause may have been something weather-related. Günther Ott, in an article in Jet & Prop 4/2003, states that it was BV 222 C11 that was sitting on a ramp at the end of the war.

Best regards
Hans

[Brian Bines]

No problem Ed thanks for the comment will note for the future,

Best Regards

Brian Bines