Viterbo 19 February 1944

[Nick Beale]

Hallo Guy,

Jochen Prien's JG 77 and JG 53 histories cover these actions at some length but here is what ULTRA has to say (all times are GMT):

CX/MSS/R. 102 (B)
41. From Battle HQ (Roman) I JG. 77 on 19/2:
Serviceable aircraft 2
Pilots ready 17.

42. Signed IA, stamped 1700/19/2:-
10 Fw. 190 broke off, damaged undercarriage. 12 Spitfires south of Rome, air combat. All bombs jettisoned over our own territory. losses: one Fw. 190, pilot seen to bale out.

NOTE: Source is almost certain this report came from SG. 4.

43. From IA, issued 19/2:-
At 0935 hours 11 Fw 190 dropped 11 bombs in +RIB6 -- 10 ((F8025)) -- 3D right ((F8524)) on M/T. Effect not observed. Air combat with 24 Spitfires, 1 Spitfire effectively shot up. 1 Fw 190 missing east of Rome. 1 Fw 190 crash landing on own airfield, shot up.

NOTE: 1) + as given. Obvious error. probably RI6B. If so position = ((F8423)), which seems probable in this context.
2) Cf. CX/MSS/T.99/136 for this operation.

44. Part of communication issued on afternoon of 19/2:-
1150 to 1301 hrs, 23 Bf 109s scrambled. Air battle with about 20 Spitfires over ORVIETO at 2000 m. to low level.

Success: Uffz. Mueller, 123(C%2) hrs, 1 Spitfire V shot down at 800 m. aircraft crashed in flames (B% 10 km.)W.S.W. of orvieto airfield, 9th victory. Witness: Uffz. Zacher, Staff M.O. Dr. Thieler.

Uffz. Mueller, 1243 hrs, 1 Spitfire V shot down at 8000m. Aircraft crashed in flames 20 km. S.W. of Orvieto airfiled … (remainder missing) …

NOTE: Source believes communication was from III/JG. 53.

54. Signed III/53 on 19/2:-
1515 - 1615 hrs: 16 Bf. 109 on free-lance patrol. No contact with enemy. No incidents.

55. Signed III/53 dated 19/2:-
Obltn. KLIPPGEN shot down by a Spitfire at 1257 hours 19/2 and found 10 km. west of Lake Bolsena.

CX/MSS/T99/135
Signed IC, dated 19/2:-
0620 hrs. attack by 17 Fw 190 g/a/ a/c on Batterien firing in RI3A ((F 8426)), 3C ((F8425)) and 2D ((F 8325)). After dropping bombs in RI2D a large fire observed. Effect not noted owing to air battle immediately afterwards.