Lost JU 88 24 March 1945

[RodM]

Hi,

the data from the 'Nachtjagd War Diaries', is principally based upon two ULTRA messages - one giving a summary of the III./NJG4 sorties on the night of 24-25 March 1945 and the other giving details of the loss of 3C+AR.

From the former, one of two pilots was at the controls of 3C+AR - Lt. 'Wittendorf' or Lt. 'von Mylius' (Lt. Josef von Milius). From the latter, the details of the loss did not provide the name of the pilot.

After cross-referencing a large number of ULTRA messages, the name 'Wittendorf' only occurred once, so it has not been possible to confirm the spelling. Thanks to Matti for providing the name of Kurt Mittendorf.

As to the aircraft, ULTRA indicates that 712283 went off-strength (for repair) from III./NJG4 following damage to the hydraulics on 6 March 1945. It also appears to have been transferred from II./NJG4 to I./NJG4 on 19 March 1945.

Here is what I have databased from the original ULTRA message about the loss (from HW 5/688, R.511/C/24):

From III./NJG4 on 28/3:- Subject: Personnel and QM Return: A) 24/3/45, time unknown. B) 7. Staffel. C) Location Unknown. D) Special Operation. E) Reason Unknown. F) Ju.88 G1. G) 712283. H) 3C AR. I) 100%. J) Replacement. Yes. K) Personnel casualties: Lt. ??, Pilot; Oegfr. Werner Lefkes, ??; Uffz. Erich Stifter, BF; Gefr. Johann Blever, BM, missing. L) Unknown. (note - see HW 5/682 T.500/96: 7 Ju88 took off from Lippspringe and Paderborn, only 6 landed. Possible identity of pilot of 3C+AR is Lt. von Mylius or Lt. Wittendorf)

Cheers

Rod

PS - Fw. Bruno Neuhäuser's aircraft was 620982 (3C+CS)