15.(Kroat)/JG52

[kalender1973]

Also 12 killed and 7 POW(defected) in east. Thanks a lot for all responses !

[Lastan]

Informations that you get would be incorrect without name of one more Croatian, and ex YAF pilot:

č/n Ivan Sekereš - killed at airfield under Soviet bombing attack...

Lastan

[Dénes Bernád]

Wasn't he of Hungarian origin (i.e., Szekeres)?

[Lastan]

I hawe no informations about his nationality, in fact he did not ask CAF command for release from duty. I saw lot of pilots do that, like Viktor Molnar (he was of Hungarian origin!), and CAF command newer made any problem from that. Photographs from Sekereš confirm that he was naval pilot before WW II in Yugoslavia, but as 15./JG 52 pilot he mostly fly with sole KL-35. Perhaps his YRAF records exist in Serbia, and a relevant answer about his origin.

[Larry deZeng]

Croatians with Hungarian names were not unusual given they shared a border and Croatian was once part of Austro-Hungary. Here is another one:

SZENTLELEKY, Dragutin. 09.11.42 infantry Nadporučnik, posthumously awarded the Great Silver Medal for Courage for service in the 14th Infantry Rgt.

[Lastan]

Thank you Larry for feedback. But back to topic:

With pilot olt Ivan Rupčić on list, 16 killed pilots (for all reason) is acceptable. 8 other pilots defected etc. and survive WW II. In total, about 70 pilots pass through 15. (Kroat.) JG 52.

1. Ivan Rupčić KIFA (JFS in Germany aug. 1941., he was member of 4.th zrakoplovna skupina)
2. Ewald Baumgarten KIA
3. Anđelko Antić KIA
4. Viktor Mihelčić KIA
5. Stjepan Radić KIA
6. Jure Lasta KIA
7. Josip Nikoljačić KIA
8. Josip Čipić KIFA
9. Vladimir Salamon KIA
10. Dragutin Gazapi KIA
11. Ivan Karner KIFA
12. Ivan Sekereš KI bombing attack, rank - Stabsfeldwebel
13. Veco Miković KIA
14. Albin Šval KIA
15. Josip Kranjc KIA
16. Zvonimir Rajterić KIFA

[kalender1973]

Thank you for additional info, Lastan