1./(F)123 Losses 1943

[edNorth]

Here is good overview of Ju 88 T-1´s assigned to this unit.

http://www.ww2.dk/oob/bestand/aufkl/b1ag123.html

[Larry deZeng]

Edward North wrote in part:

"15-30 June 1943: the Staffel too delivery of 6 Ju 88 T-2, which was a new, significantly faster high altitude version of the Ju 88 that was specifically outfitted with aerial camera installations."

Well. Not Ju 88 T-2, version was Ju 88 T-1 (BMW 801 engines replacing Jumo 211 J). These were conversions from Ju 88 D-1 Recce. Ju 88 D-1 already was Photo recce airplane, and major production version since summer 1941, so statement is false (pointless), only BMW 801 versions were faster at altitude. Yet were relatively easily caught by RAF Spitfires. In my opinion these were too late, and relatively few were converted.

For example. 430614 mentioned in list in previous post (really 0880430614) was the 7th conversion - the "T/7", not A-4, that is false.
(Source: Modification lists)

The offending error in my "15-30 June 1943" entry came from Allied intelligence documents, probably an interrogation report. In reading through these over the past 30+ years, it was quite clear that in mid-1943 many, but certainly not all, Allied intelligence personnel were lacking the autoritative detail needed to differentiate between the Ju 88 S and T designations and got them mixed up, that is until the technical intelligence people straightened things out. It is also true that captured German air crew gave their interrogators misleading information that led to erroneous conclusions.

L.