Battle of Britain Luftwaffe ace

[robert]

Hi,

on 10.07.40 9/JG3 combated with 107 RAF Blenheims. 5 Blenheims were lost in this clash.


Regards

Robert

[Chris Goss]

Too many Hurricanes to chose from on 19 May but I suggest you look at '10 Days in May'; Spitfires from 64 and 610 Sqn lost on 29 May.Only one Spitfire lost on 20 Aug-Plt Off K G Hart of 65 Sqn but I do not have a time for Achleitner's kill or whether there were nay other German claims that day. I would be careful calling him an ace-maybe in British terms but many Germans had 5 kills

[Brian]

Hi Chris

I think (hope!) you mean 'Twelve Days in May'!

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Due to Government cutbacks....................yes, 12 Days!

[VtwinVince]

Hi Jon,

Good question, and I hope someone can give details on these kills. Coincidentally, my uncle claimed a Spitfire on May 29th as well, while leading 4. Staffel, at 1830 hours northwest of Dunkirk. BTW Robert, according to my records the clash with 107's Blenheims resulted in the destruction of 7 Blenheims, with Achleitner leading the first Schwarm and Hauptmann Dr. Ochs leading the second. It was for this action that Achleitner received the EK 1 personally from Kesselring at Desvres.

[robert]

Hi VtwinVince,


seven were claimed but in BC Losses Vol.1 only 5 are listed as lost:
L9468, P6894, R3606, R3815, R3916. Perhaps there were also damaged planes?

Regards


Robert

[VtwinVince]

Robert, you could be right. I received a letter from Achleitner only a few weeks before he died, describing this action. He claimed that 9. Staffel got seven Blenheims over France, with the eighth crash-landing in England. This is corroborated in an inscription on the back of a photo I have, showing the pilots of 9. Staffel being interviewed for the Rundfunk after this engagement. Strangely enough, I was having a beer with some vets years ago, and one of them, S/L Peter Duggan-Smith DFC, was an old Blenheim pilot. When I mentioned that my uncle led the attack on 107 RAF, he nearly started to cry, having been with a neighbouring Blenheim unit when this happened.

[Ruy Horta]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Due to Government cutbacks....................yes, 12 Days!

No soup for you!!

[Jon]

Just back after being away with work !

Thanks for all the responses and the link sent by Vince show the kill times also, so i should be able to work out his possible victims.

Thanks again

Jon

[Jon]

Hello again.
Due to the link by Vince I can now show what i assume are correct places and times of Achleitners kills.
Do these help to identify any of his kills.

I own a very nice part of his Battle of Britain personal kit so am trying to put his short combat career together in more detail to keep with the relic so all help will be appreciated.

Thanks.

NoDateTimeA/c TypeUnitLocation / Comments1

19.5.1940

16:45Hurricane9./JG 3Arras2

29.5.1940

18:35Spitfire9./JG 3Dunkirk3

10.7.1940

14:25Blenheim9./JG 320km W Arras4

10.7.1940

14:33Blenheim9./JG 320km W Arras5

20.8.1940

-Spitfire9./JG 3Channel