Me 262 in Italy - photo evidence

[Daniel]

The photo of the tail clearly shows "11053" and the GQM gives "11053", so why can't it be "11053" (of course with the sixth digit unknown)?

If someone has the book by Jan Horn I would be interested in the source that is given there for the loss of Lt. Strate's Me 262 on February 6.
So far I have never come across another Me 262 loss in the Landshut area besides 11053x.

As a side note: The April 26, 1945 JV 44 listing mentions Me 262 111754 as "Rückführ-Flugzeug Landshut-Industrie", whatever that means.

Kind regards,
Daniel

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Daniel

As a side note: The April 26, 1945 JV 44 listing mentions Me 262 111754 as "Rückführ-Flugzeug Landshut-Industrie", whatever that means.

Kind regards,
Daniel

It means "Return aircraft, Landshut- Industry" but I don't understand whether Landshut has recalled it from JV 44 or the other way round. "Industrie" is usually a civilian factory or repair facility rather than (say) a Luftwaffe depot. However, this document from 2 May 1945 says that with JV 44 "also on the aerodrome are 17 returned aircraft" including one Me 262 from Landshut (Industrie).

I have just one other mention of Ltn. Strate:

CX/MSS/R 499(A),16
From KEBAD ((1 KG.)) 51, Major Brucker GIGAO ((GAF Station Command)) DETMOLD, orderly room, dated 20/3:- Request information to Ltn. Strate at Esch. His a/c is ready.

And this reference to a transfer to Unterschlauersbach on 31 March:

CX/MSS/T205/29
1110818 [sic] still serviceable with pilot with 6./KG 51 on 30 March 1945. Take off after restoration of runway probably on 31/3 to Unterschlauersbach.