Question regarding loss of 2 Bomber Gruppenkomandeure on 22 April 1943

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Originally Posted by Matti Salonen

Loss info on Hptm Jungklaus' crew:
1943-04-22, Stab III/KG 3, Ju 88A-4, 144615, 5K+BD, Poti, Unbekannt um 18.45 Uhr. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer (Gruppenkommandeur) Hptm Jungklaus, Siegfried, vermißt
Beobachter Olt Röbert, Johannes, vermißt
Bordfunker Uffz Lenz, Alois, vermißt
Bordschütze Fw Oerter, Theodor, vermißt

Matti

Hello Matti,

This Ju88 was claimed by Poti AA Defence.
Oerter became a POW. From his words, Ju88 have ditched in the sea due to technical failure before the bombing of the Poti (it was doubtful for interrogators). Jungklaus drowned [why?] with his Ju88 in the sea, the rest of crew reached the land but Beobachter and Bordschütze have drowned during the river crossing.

Best regards,
Andrey

[Paul Thompson]

Originally Posted by Andrey Kuznetsov

Hello Matti,

This Ju88 was claimed by Poti AA Defence.
Oerter became a POW. From his words, Ju88 have ditched in the sea due to technical failure before the bombing of the Poti (it was doubtful for interrogators). Jungklaus drowned [why?] with his Ju88 in the sea, the rest of crew reached the land but Beobachter and Bordschütze have drowned during the river crossing.

Best regards,
Andrey

Dear Andrey,

Thank you, that's very interesting! Did the Soviet side capture any more prisoners that day? According to the quote in the first post, a source claimed that Thiel also became a POW.

Regards,

Paul Thompson

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello Paul,

Originally Posted by Paul Thompson

Did the Soviet side capture any more prisoners that day? According to the quote in the first post, a source claimed that Thiel also became a POW.

No. BF from He111H-16 1G+AD was saved by Romanians, the rest of the crew have drowned.

Correction to the Ju88 off Poti: Beobachter and Bordfunker, not BS, have drowned. My typo, sorry.

By the way, results of the Poti raid were poor, mainly due to use of smokescreens. A fuel oil pipeline was damaged. Visual effect was probably impressive but damage was insignificant.

Matti, thank your for the lists 11. and 22.Apr.43. Some details are unknown for me.

1943-04-11, 6./JG 52, Bf 109G-4, 14898 ... Absturz um 10.40 Uhr nach Luftkampf.

"10.40 Uhr" - is it the exact time? What is the source?
Can't find corresponding Soviet claim despite numerous claims during that day. It is strange, commonly were several clams per one real loss.

Best regards,
Andrey