Soviet Boston lost over Strait of Kerch on 29.12.43?

[Juha]

Hello marsyao
Yes, I understand that. Without much more thorough research on German and Soviet sources it is not even possible to establish even with reasonable degree of certainly that the Li-2 was attacked by Lipfert and his wingman. After all Boston was shoulder winged a/c and its wing platform was different of that of Li-2/DC-3. But a/c recognition is/was always a problem in those fast moving high-stress situations, so IMHO the Li-2 is altogether possible victim.

But thanks for Your comment
Juha

[Juha]

Hello

I have checked Tony Wood’s and Jim P’s claims lists and the only claim against twin on 29.12.43 listed was that of Lipfert. The place given is SW Mayak, time 10.05. In the Valtonen’s translation of Lipfert’s memories otherwise same but the place is written as Mayack. Now, I don’t have a decent map on Crimea but the Soviet bridgehead on Kerch peninsula was a small one at that time.



Andrey, I’ll ask one more favour. Was the Li-2 of 1.esc. of 9.AP GVF written off or only damaged?



TIA

Juha

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello, Juha!

Mayak is a village in the very eastern point of Crimea. The landing ground was between Mayak and Zhukovka. From the report an impression is appears, that Li-2 was written-off. One of two badly wounded was the pilot. No words about fighter escort. Maybe "8 fighters" had other task (for example - air cover of bridgehead, a common task of that time and that place). Transport aircrafts usually made a low-level solo flights to bridgehead according to the strict rules mostly without escort. And German attacks were very rare - probably because attack of the low-level target over the water was the difficult task (and German Ju-52 transport in the Black Sea area used the same tactic in many cases)

Best regards,
Andrey

[Juha]

Thanks a lot again, Andrey!

So it seems that the Li-2 of 1.esc. of 9.AP GVF was Lipfert’s “Boston”. I guess that the Li-2s of the Civil Air Fleet didn’t have dorsal turrets or does the crew of 5 indicate that there was also 1-2 gunners aboard in that Li-2?

And thanks a lot for the info how the Soviet “airbridge” to Kerch bridgehead worked. Much appreciated.



Thankfully

Juha

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello, Juha!



Yes, it seems that Lipfert’s “Boston” was certainly Li-2. I don’t know about GVF Li-2’s armament, but a presence of MGs seems logical.

By the way, high-ranking officers usually preferred ships or U-2 biplanes for the transfer to Kerch bridgehead. Of course, exceptions were possible.



Regards,

Andrey

[Juha]

Hello Andrey
I asked on the dorsal turret only because IMHO it's easier to mistook Li-2 with a dorsal turret for Boston than the normal Li-2 for Boston. Lipfert didn't mention any defensive fire.

The high ranking officer isn't so important, there are many explanation on that, for example those mentioned by marsyao. IMHO there is even a possibility that Soviets were using the Li-2 as a bait, guessing that missinformation on high ranking officer would tempted Germans to sent one of their aces to eliminate such a target and so maybe give an opportunity to eliminate the German. Or at least to deceive Germans to put an effort at the time which Soviets could predict. But this is purely a speculation.

Thanks for Your help
Juha

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Originally Posted by Andrey Kuznetsov

I don’t know about GVF Li-2’s armament, but a presence of MGs seems logical.

Nine years later...

Chance upon the armament of the Li-2 transport planes of 9.AP GVF (as at 1.
May.43 but probably in December it was the same):
1 Li-2: 1 BS (12.7mm MG), 3 ShKAS (7.62mm)
1 Li-2: 1 BS, 2 DA-1 (7.62mm)
1 Li-2: 1 BS, 2 ShKAS (7.62mm)

Regards,
Andrey