Heinz-Edgar Berres

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

I have read that Leutnant Heinz-Edgar Berres (52 victories, RK, missing in action 25 July 1943) of Stab I./JG 77 was shot down and forced to bale out of his fighter on 3 November 1942, possibly in the same engagement during which he claimed a P-40 fighter as his 20th victory. However, the only matching losses that JG 77 suffered around that date that would fit the circumstances are:

2 November 1942: Bf 109 G-2/Trop (W.Nr. 10 549) of 1./JG 77 due to enemy fighters southwest of El Alamein
2 November 1942: Bf 109 G-2/Trop (W.Nr. 10 480) of 1./JG 77 due to enemy fire south of El Daba
4 November 1942: Bf 109 G-2/Trop (W.Nr. 10 568) of Stab/JG 77 due to enemy fire over Qutaifiya

In all three incidents the pilot baled out and the fighter struck the ground burning. Is the information that Berres was shot down that day incorrect or is there the possibility that he was flying one of these aircraft and the date when he was shot down according to the information I read erroneous?

Horrido!

Leo