Weisse 1, 10./JG27 (w.nr 10463 or 18463?)

[Mikkel Plannthin]

I am researching Weisse 1 og 10. Staffel, IV./JG27 of summer 43, since may have been the aircraft of then Staffelkapitän Hptm. Poul Sommer (Danish).

According to Prien et al. Ofw. Wilhelm Morgenstern is lost of the Island of Kos on 18. september 1943 in Weisse 1+= 109G-2 (wrk.nr. 10463). On http://www.luftwaffe.be/miajg27.html (list of Missing in Action, JG27) it is suggested, though, that this aircraft might have been 109 G-6 (wrk.nr. 18463). But the site offers no references to this information.

The main part of the aircraft of 10. Staffel at that point was G-6 and I have presumed that the aircraft of the Staffelcaptain would be the newest version. Hence, the information in Prien was a surprise to me.

On the other hand, if the aircrafts of the newly established units of IV./JG27 came from other parts of JG27 and Poul Summer "brought with him" an aircraft from II./JG27 this might have been a G-2. I should stress though, that I havn't got any information that specifically link Poul Sommer to Weisse 1, just the fact that it seems to have been the convention for the staffelcaptains aircraft.

Would any of you have information on this subject.

TIA, Mikkel

[Jim P.]

The loss report states that the machine was a G-6, but WNr. 10463 which would be that of a G-2. However, looking at that 1846x group reveals the following:

Bf 109G-6 18461 IV. JG 27 CH+IW 07-Oct-43 Crashed due to engine damage. Pilot FSA, OK. Greece Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #11)-Vol.22; Prien/Rodeike/Stemmer, III. & IV./JG 27, p. 457 near Tanagra 100% H

Bf 109G-6 18464 IV. JG 27 CH+IZ 01-Sep-43 Bauchlandung. Greece Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #11)-Vol.21; Prien/Rodeike/Stemmer, III. & IV./JG 27, p. 456 NW of Patras 65% F

Bf 109G-6 18465 IV. JG 27 01-Oct-43 Notlandung at sea due to engine damage. Greece Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #11)-Vol.22; Prien/Rodeike/Stemmer, III. & IV./JG 27, p. 457 NW of Chania 100% F

Bf 109G-6 18466 IV. JG 27 31-Jul-43 Rammed Bf 109G-6 WNr. 15213. Pilot OK, FSA. Greece Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #11)-Vol.20; Prien/Rodeike/Stemmer, III. & IV./JG 27, p. 456 Kytnos 100% F

Bf 109G-6 18468 Bösler, Oblt. Dietrich 12. JG 27 10-Oct-43 Stkp. KIA in Luftkampf. Greece Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #11)-Vol.22; Prien/Rodeike/Stemmer, III. & IV./JG 27, p. 457 near Luma, Megara area, near Athen 100% F

Bf 109G-6 18469 IV. JG 27 20-Sep-43 Rolled into bomb crater while landing. Greece Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #11)-Vol.21; Prien/Rodeike/Stemmer, III. & IV./JG 27, p. 457 Fl.Pl. Maritsa/Rhodos 80% F

Me thinks you've found a typing error in the GQM reports!

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Thanks for the info, Jim. A couple of questions arise from your answer.

The loss report states that the machine was a G-6

Do you quote from the original loss report? Prien et al. lists the losses of IV./JG27 in this period and states that "ws 1+=" is a G-2 10 463. That would meen two typing errors in Prien et al. if this was to say G-6 and 18 463.

They also mention the 'Bestandzliste' of the unit. From this it is clear, that IV./JG27 from the outset had a wide number of different Bf. 109 versions, among these 2 G-2's. Hence, the unit was equipped with the G-2. My first thought was that Poul Sommer - as Staffelkapitän - might had used the aircraft from his former unit: II./JG27, but this unit had already transferred to G-4's and G-6's at that time. Furthermore, the G-2 trops of JG27 that a mentioned in the loss lists are from diffent ranges of werknr.

Therefore, I am still a bit puzzled by facts

TIA, Mikkel Plannthin

[Jim P.]

Yes, I am using the original General Quartermaster reports. It seems unusual that both WNr. 10463 & 18463, depending upon how one assigns Morganstern, are missing. The fact that it was originally reported as a G-6 and the half dozen or so other losses in that WNr. block are pretty good evidence that it probably should be WNr. 18463.

Kinda surprised no else has commented on this query.