Help With 6./NJG2

[malcolmjameswilson]

I am looking into the loss of a Ju88 lost over Hannover on the night of 8/9 October 1943. Previous help suggests that this aircraft may have been shot down by a Halifax JD417 of 78 Squadron - the only Ju88 lost this night. I have just obtained a copy of the Halifax rear gunners combat report which clearly states Ju88. I have information that the crew of this aircraft were: Lt Ernst Grosz (Gross) / Uffz Fritz Dreesen / Uffz Julius Burow – members of 6./NJG2. I believe that they were all killed in action.

I have found on the web a reference to 6./NJG2 operating from Gilze Rijen in the Netherlands. When I look at a map this seems to be some distance from Hannover and I would like to ask if it would be probable that this unit would have been operating over the city of Hannover?

I would also like to ask Forum members if they have any suggestions on how I could undertake to find out more information relating to the Ju88 crew members as I would very much like to learn more about them.

Any help with or suggestions on how I could make further progress would be most welcome.

Kind regards – Malcolm.

PS: The 78 Squadron combat report gives the height of the Halifax as: 17,000 feet / Heading: 190 M / Time: 01.31 hours / Speed: 180 I. Visibility: Very Good. No Cloud. / Position: Target.

[edNorth]

Hi,

Possibly this one...

750378 Ju 88 C-6 R4+MP ?
II/NJG 3 (Lw.Befh.Mitte)
OPS (F) downed in air-combat (enemy observed) (100%) near Husum 09.10.1943 (crew uninjured)

cheers
ed

[malcolmjameswilson]

Hello Ed:

Thank you for the reply. I have information that only one Ju88 was lost over the target (Hannover) that night – Nr 750478 coded R4+MP. Does your posting suggest that there may be others? If so, how do I go about tracing them?

Kind regards – Malcolm.

[edNorth]

Hi Malcolm,

1. A few others could have been involved, but since you state crew, this crew is stated flying R4+MP and two crew killed, Dreesen missing, Hannover, that night (in Balss ´Deutsche Nachtjagd´)

Edited: Here likely comes the correct one:

088/750478 - Ju 88 C-6 R4+MP II/NJG 2 (Lw.Befh.Mitte)
OPS (F) missing (100%) unk location 09.10.1943 (F Lt. Ernst Groß, BF Uffz. Fritz Dressen and BM Uffz. Julius Burow mis/rep killed in losses m/19.12.43) (rep as A4+MP in LWFLV losses; poss. in error for correct unit code R4+MP)

2. Books, f.e. Michael Balss "Deutsche Nachtjagd" (1997) but there might be others too.

cheers
ed

[malcolmjameswilson]

Hello Ed:

Many thanks for this. It is very helpful.

Given that the base for this unit is give as Gilze Rijen in the Netherlands would it be probable that this unit would have been operating over the city of Hannover? On a map it seems to be some considerable distance. Or is usual for Nightfighters at this time?

Kind regards – Malcolm.