Luftwaffe Units Crete May-June 1944

[Chris Goss]

Apart from 3/33, what Ju 88 or Bf 109 units would have been based in Crete mid-May to mid-June 1944? The reason why I ask is Allied aircrew reported seeing both types over a convoy on 1 Jun 44 but the only unit that appears to have been involved in combat was 4/126

[byron-]

Hello Chris,

there were no Ju-88 escorting the german merchant vessels on the 01.06.44 (Sabine, Gertrude, Tanais and Anita escorted from one destroyer, three torpedoboats and two R-boats).
According to the book "Alamein to the Alps (with a very extended description)" there were only 4 Me 109s (JG 27) and 4 Arados (Aufkl.Gru. 4./126). In addition to this some barrage balloons.
The same is refaired in the magazine "the Queen`s Squdron, a history of No. 603 squadron RAAF".

regards

Byron

[byron-]

Hello Chris,

I just found a german description of the story (Kriegstagebuch der Marine Flakabteilung 31), it seems there were some Ju 88 there but they departed as the would have no chances against the british.

look here:

01.06.44 Luftkampf 25 sm nördlich Iraklion beim Geleitzug von 4 T-Booten (TA 14, TA 16, TA 17, TA 19),3 U-Jägern (UJ-2101, 2105, 2110) und 2 R-Booten (R34 und R 211) mit den Dampfern „Gertrud“, „Tanais“ und „Sabine“.
4 Me 109, 4 Ju 88 und 4 Ar 196 der 4./126 begleiten das Geleit, Fahrt Piräus-Kreta.


[My notice:

Um 18.00 Uhr im Qu. 3722 von 12 Maraudern (24 Sqn.SAAF), 18 Baltimors (15 Sqn.SAAF) und 24 Beaufightern (252, 227, 16 und 603 Sqn) angegriffen. 13 Spitfires (94 Sqn) und 4 Mustangs (213 Sqn) übernahmen den Jagdschutz.]


KTB Bemerkung: Die Ju 88 Sicherung konnte an Hand ihrer unterlegenen Geschwindigkeit nichts ausrichten und setzte sich beim Angriff ab. Einige eigene Jäger wurden wohl gesichtet, traten aber wenig in Erscheinung. Die Aradosicherung stand zum Teil während des Tiefangriffes mitten zwischen den Beaufightern, musste sich aber an Hand der Unterlegenheit selbst in Sicherheit bringen.
UJ-2101, UJ-2105 und „Sabine“ wurden getroffen und sanken. „Gertrud“ und „TA 16“ wurden am nächstenTag , den 02.06.44, im Hafen von Iraklion wo sie Zuflucht suchten, durch Flibo von 9 Wellingtons der Sq.38,11 SAAF Baltimores und 11 SAAF Maraudern versenkt.
An diesen 2 Tagen die SAAF verlor 4 Beaufighter, 1 Baltimore und 1 Wellington, alle Opfer der Schiffsflak .

[My notice:

Bei den Gefechten wurden 1 Me 109 und 3 Ar 196 abgeschossen, 1 Ar 196 beschädigt (227 Sqn);
Das beschädigte Flugzeug war eine Ar 196 A5 (W.Nr. 1960349);
Besatzungen der Ar 196 der 4./126 waren:
FF. Ofw. Kurth mit BO. Ltn. Böckling,
FF. Ofw. Kurt Chalupka mit BO. Oblt. Schäfer,
FF. Ofw. Fritz Rupp mit BO. Oblt. Richter,
FF. Uffz. Hässler mit BO. Uffz. Buss]

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Byron. Matches with what I have apart from why were a only few of JG 27's ac involved likewise what was the Ju 88 unit? If you are interested, I have the account of Wg Cdr Willie Meharg's navigator (shot down leading the formation and both were rescued by 4/126) as I have just completed a 2500 word article on this action with photos. I have also contacted the Meharg family who are digging through 2 chests of papers and photos.......

[kaki3152]

Chris,

BTW, the book "McAughtry's War" by Sam McAughtry talks about the attack on June 1st and the feelings the Squadron had towards W/C Meharg.
Not a popular commander.

[Chris Goss]

Better not mention that to the family! By the way Byron, you mention the Anita which is the first I have seen of this ship and contradicts the KTB?

[kaki3152]

Also, 13./JG-27 stationed on Kreta,received its order to move to France on June 5,1944.No casualties reported on June 1,1944, wonder what was the unit of the Bf-109 Abgeschossen?

Some of the pilots were transferred to 5./JG-51, among them Uffz Jakobi and Stadler, 5./JG-51 seems to have operated in Rhodos and Kreta during this time until August 1944?

[Chris Goss]

A Baltimore pilot reported a Bf 109 crashing in front of him but I cannot find any corresponding loss.

[Chris Goss]

According to Jochen Prien there was no 13/JG 27 until Aug 44?

[byron-]

Hello Chris,

1) The german war diary is 100% right, Anita didn`t follow the convoy, remained in Piraeus. (see attached page 127 Alamein to the Alps)

2) The only fighter unit with Bf 109 at that time in Greece was the 7. Staffel J.G. 27 under Oblt. Emil Clade (12 planes), some of them remained in Ellinikon until 06.06.44.
There was also the 5. Staffel of J.G. 51 as Kaki mentioned,
31.05-26.06.44, in Ellinikon; 28.06-04.07.44, in Kastelli / Kreta; 06.07-31.07.44, in Gadura/Rhodos und Maleme; dabei war auch ein Kdo. unter Ltn. Götz Bergmann, (+) 20.07.44 auf Rhodos (abgest.);
ein kleiner Teil saß 10.06.44-24.06.44 in Skutari-Albanien; Staffel 28.08.44 nach Nisch verlegt. 17.09.44 zwei Maschinen in Kalamaki.


I can`t define the shot down Bf 109. (See attached page 129 Alamein to the Alps) and the Ju 88. Were there any at that time in Greece? i doubt it.

3) Chris, thank you for your offer, i am interested.