Me 410 or FW 190? Carnage over Oder - again

[Raimo Malkamäki]

Peter,
I feel I have to define what I meant with "not to argue". I do not mean that I ignore historical documents, like Verlustmeldungen etc. But I also feel very strongly that it is not my job as his host to start a quarrel with Mr Schlossstein. I find it very disrespectful, even impossible to think that first we invite him - a distinguished 93 years old veteran - here and then we say: "Welcome to Finland, nice to have you here, but you are telling us wrong information." I just wanted to tell that he sees this case closed, IV/JG 54 it was. We can discuss it here, like we have done, with interesting input from the researchers.

The information which is presented in this thread is very convincing for III./JG 54, I have absolutely no argument against that.
And like I wrote above, I know from the experience that a human memory is not the most reliable source.

Sometimes it difficult to express opinion when writing in foreign language, hopefully I succeeded now.

Best regards,
Raimo

PS Mr Schlossstein also told that his final assignment in the war was to lead a column of cars and lorries with JG 11 personnel from almost encircled Berlin to Schleswig-Holstein. He advised his Kommodore Anton Hackl to undersign the order with "Ritterkreuzträger mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern". Schlossstein thought that it was the only argument strong enough to help them get out from Berlin and pass the roadblocks.
He is convinced to this day that it was the trick that helped them to get thru and later to surrender to Western Forces

[FalkeEins]

Originally Posted by Raimo Malkamäki

Peter,
And like I wrote above, I know from the experience that a human memory is not the most reliable source.

I think your approach was very wise and sensible Raimo, had this discussion recently regarding some of Hubert Engst's recollections (Ta 152s in Ainring May 1945 ? ) - some veteran statements are best treated with a healthy dose of scepticism ..

Thanks for the video.