Oblt Detlev Grossfuss DKG

I believe Oblt Grossfuss was in combat with my late Uncle's Lancaster QRL of 61 Squadron, RAF on the night of 15/16 August 1943, successfully attacking from astern and resulting in a mid-air explosion of the bomb load. Only the pilot, Sgt Victor Matthews survived. I have found reference to Oberleutnant Grossfuss award of the German Cross in 1944, but can find no trace of his service career from there on. Can anyone tell me if he survived the war? I know he later served in Italy. I have only respect for him as a fellow aviator, and would only seek to put a missing piece in our family tree.

[Nick Beale]

You're right about his time in Italy, he served there with 2./JG 2 (late February to early April 1944). He was awarded the Ehrenpokal (Goblet of Honour) on 3 March.

Italian service here: http://www.ghostbombers.com/JG2/jg2intro.html
Career overview here: http://www.ww2.dk/Lw%20Offz%20G-K%202015.pdf

Sorry, I don't know if he survived the war but someone here probably does.

[Chris Goss]

He was born 24 Nov 19 at Friedrichsort/Kiel. He was wounded in combat near St Andre on 5 Jul 44 leading 2/JG 2 and apparently ended the war leading 9/JG 2. His name doesn't appear it the 1980s Gemeinschaft der Jagdflieger

[Kaczmarek]

According to the lists of Tony Wood.

15/16 August 1943
R.A.F. Milano
Lt. Detlef Großfuß 2./J.G. 2

Halifax. 3 km. SSW Rugles: 4.000 m. 23.20.
Lancaster. 3 km. SE Orbec-en-Auge: 4.200 m. 04.03.
Lancaster. 500 m. S Houlgate: 3.000 m. 04.19.

Rgds,
Kaczmarek

[lilsis]

Hi,


12.08.43 Ltn. Detlef Grossfuss 2./JG 2 Halifax £ 1 km. N.N.W. Verneuil: 3.000 m. 23.17 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr. -
12.08.43 Ltn. Detlef Grossfuss 2./JG 2 Halifax £ bei Beaune: 3.000 m. 23.27 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr. -

15.08.43 Ltn. Detlef Grossfuss 2./JG 2 Halifax £ 3 km. S.S.W. Rugles: 4.000 m. 23.20 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr

16.08.43 Ltn. Detlef Grossfuss 2./JG 2 Lancaster £ 3 km. S.E. Orbec-en-Auge: 4.200 m. 04.03 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr. -
16.08.43 Ltn. Detlef Grossfuss 2./JG 2 Lancaster £ 500 m. S. Houlgate: 3.000 m. 04.19 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr. -


17.08.43 Ltn. Detlef Grossfuss 2./JG 2 4-mot. Flzg. £ 25 km. N. Ornemündung: 3.400 m. 04.20 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr. -

[Fredo Hara]

Originally Posted by Pilot_engineer

I believe Oblt Grossfuss was in combat with my late Uncle's Lancaster QRL of 61 Squadron, RAF on the night of 15/16 August 1943, successfully attacking from astern and resulting in a mid-air explosion of the bomb load. Only the pilot, Sgt Victor Matthews survived. I have found reference to Oberleutnant Grossfuss award of the German Cross in 1944, but can find no trace of his service career from there on. Can anyone tell me if he survived the war? I know he later served in Italy. I have only respect for him as a fellow aviator, and would only seek to put a missing piece in our family tree.

Hello,
the combat you mention is taken up in detail in the excellent book by Eric Mombeeck "JG2 Richthofen vo. 4 : 1943".
http://www.luftwaffe.be/
http://www.christian-schmidt.com/pro...oducts_id=9416
The author had contact with family of Grossfuss. There are also pictures of Oblt.Grossfuss and his comrades in the book.Cordially.

Fred