Bf 109 massacre of 24 March 1945 (359th FG)

[John Manrho]

OK guys, a follow up....

1) In Prien's book on I./JG 27 an eyewitness is quoted who was at Störmede. It was a member of III./NJG 1 which was based at Störmede too. He said it was a combat between 18 Mustangs and 12 Bf 109's from I./JG 27 of which 6 where shot down. He also said there was one P-51 loss. The numbers match the number of 359th FG Mustangs very well.

2) RT, Stabsintendant is indeed ground crew. In fact he is in charge of administrative and personnel duties. Rank can be compared with Hauptmann.

3) Skyraider, The airfield was due south of Störmede. If you look at the picture, pinpoint Störmede and you go directly south you end up with a little square formed forest. This was the barracks area. The airfield was just north of it. Aircraft were in hiding along the forest edge going southwest from the little square. In Dierich's book you can find a map of the airfield. Perhaps somebody can make a scan and put it here?

4) III./JG 27 was stationed at Gütersloh and lost at least 8 KIA:

Lt.Nikolaus Bauer, born 25.3.24, Buried Gütersloh, Gr. 218
Lt. Horst Kizina, born 8.10.23, Gr. 221
Oblt. Dietrich Sponnagel, born 27.4.20, Gr. 220
Fj.Fw. Werner Geserich, born 7.9.22, Gr. 222
Uffz. Karl Jehle, born 16.2.21, Gr. 219
Uffz. Werner Piesker, born 4.11.19, Gr. 225
Uffz. Heinz Rösch, born ??? (couldn't find him most likely in Gr.224....)
Fw. Heinz Schettler, born 18.1.22, Gr. 223.

Please note that all were buried at Gütersloh, strong indication that they were killed in that area. 357th FG claims their Bf 109's as "West of Gütersloh". I would say 99,9% sure that this was III./JG 27.

No losses for the 357th FG, only Otto Jenkins killed when he was killed at Leiston doing aerobatics at low level to celebrate his last mission.

In general I would say you have to compare all losses of the Lw and claims of the 8th, 9th and 2nd TAF to draw conclusions, but this seems to me very straightforward....

OK, enjoyed this, but now back to my own research...

cheers,

John.