night fighter claims 8/9 august 1944

[mhuxt]

There's a book by Willi Reschke which I believe has victory lists for JG 301 and JG 302 (though I could be mistaken). Might be able to track down a copy via interbranch loan, or perhaps ask on one or two of the other Luftwaffe boards.

I think friendly fire is a possibility simply as the Luftwaffe were more likely to have been going after the bombers attacking the storage dumps at Aire sur Lys and the Forêt de Lucheux than snooping around at low-level on the off-chance of finding something.

Mosquito intruders however tended to be at low altitude, hoping to surprise Luftwaffe aircraft as they took off or landed. As the crash was witnessed, it may be that a claim was submitted but denied when the reports were compared. Being twin-engined, Mossies were easily mistaken for Ju 88s.

[dennis markson]

well that is mighty interesting. and surprise surprise I never thought about a mosquito but the other Hali saw at St Simon a ju88 1000ft above them(they were at 1000ft) it did not see them.they turned to D/R to the drop zone at Cugny A german A/C was heard going up and down the area by the french ground party . they thought it had departed the area so they called in the two Halifax first one dropped load , second was called in .but was hit on the way in.I would not be suprised if the german intelligance knew the drop was going to take place.but the french would know the difference between the sound of a Mosquito and a JU88.anything could happen and it did .but after 138 sqn lost a Lysander to a Mosquito attack I would have thought they would have been carefull can you reccomend another Luftwaffe site that may help.although there was only a few aircraft downed that night. thanks dennis

[mhuxt]

Hi Dennis:

I wondered about betrayal as well. However in the end I suppose if the Germans had prior knowledge, they might well have tried to grab whatever / whoever was dropped, along with whoever picked it up, after the Halli had gone on its way.

More likely to have damaged Resistance activities that way than by simply shooting down the supply craft.

I'll keep looking around for a claim.

You might try the Luftwaffe Experten Message Board in the meantime.

[Maximowitz]

From Reschke's book JG301/302 "Wilde Sau":

"Oberfeldwebel Hans Todt of the 2. Staffel shot down a Halifax on this mission, his last night victory."

Nothing else I'm afraid.

[mhuxt]

Thanks Maximowitz, does it confirm the time of 0030?

[Maximowitz]

No time is recorded, just the above entry.

[dennis markson]

thank you Maximowitz, and to everybody who tried to help.Its been a long haul I started this project in 2002,with research in England ,France and through this site. and now to finally put the last piece into the puzzle with confidence and a reference is rewarding in its self.( wonder if Oberfeldwebel Hans Todt survived the war ) Dennis

[Maximowitz]

Ofw. Hans Todt 2./JG301, 8./JG301, JG7, 4 night victories, 7-8 day victories. Survived the war.