Bf109E lost 7 December 1942

[G.R.Morrison]

Am I sure? No, and I'm uncertain we can be. There are typos and number-transpositions in the original records, so we sift through 31,750+ entries to seek discrepancies / duplications. There are also omissions in the records, for there are examples of 'known' losses, with dates, but nothing in the records. Some units were more meticulous about details, in other units the clerks were apparently 'saving their typewriter ribbons.' "Research is ongoing."

It may have been 6347, as there are others in this series (originally built as E-1s, some converted into E-7s that had longer or shorter lives). Indeed, maybe it is not 6374, as that WNr. was reported lost 27.Oct. 1941 while serving with the 15.(span.)/JG 27. But other 'lost' machines get recovered, shipped home for repair and then used in schools (its 'brother' 6373 went from Finland, to JGr. Ost and later JG104, for example) or again at the front.

The loss report for 6374 for 7.Dec. 1942 gives the location as "ostwärts Sirte."

The only other Bf 109 loss in North Africa listed for 7.Dec. 1942 was the F-4 WNr.8468 of the 4.(H)/12, "schwarze 13", Fw. Rieber MIA after combat with enemy fighters. The location was unknown ("Ort unbekannt").

GRM