Nachtjagd [IV./NJG 5] losses in West of France – Spring of 1943

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello

According to the Personal Akte of Hptm. Walter Fenske he was obtained 2 nocturnal victories with the 11./NJG 5 in June 1943, one of these was a Stirling SE of Rennes.

All the best, Marcel

[Theo Boiten]

Hi Marcel,

Thanks for the addition -it would be interesting to see what details you have on a second Abschuss by Hptm. Fenske in June 1943 -I only have one, the 75 Squadron Stirling SE of Rennes on 14-15 June 1943 that you mention.

Cheers, Theo

[Henofred]

Hello,

Dear Theo, without intending to be too intrusive, from which date to which date was present in Brittany the IV./NJG 5 ? And perhaps more difficult to have an answer; where was the home terminal of this mobile Himmelbett train? Frankly, by posting my original topic, I never thought to learn that a train with Nachtjagd devices was active in this part of France [there was several radar stations very well equipped to cover Brittany (located on Cap Frehel, Pointe-du-Raz and so on...)]. Theo, I look forward to read what you wrote about this history.

Of course gents, I am deeply grateful for all your contributions to this topic.

Best regards,
Frederic

[SES]

Hi Frederic,
There were NO radarstations in that part of France in mid 1943, hence the employment of the train, which was only equipped for Seeburg-Lichtenstein Verfahren, not Himmelbett. Please consult the links I posted earlier.
bregds
SES

[Henofred]

My mistake!

For the Pointe-du-Raz - mid 1943, the construction site had begun recently. And for "Himmelbett" train, I didn't choose the right term...thank you SES for the correction.

Best regards,
Frederic

[Henofred]

Hello reetje,

I cannot send you a PM.

Best regards,
Frederic

[SES]

Hi,
To-day I received this interesting information from a friend:

Source: BArch RM 35 II/136 Blatt Nr. ?
Januar 1943: Einrichtung von Nachtjagd-Gebieten zum Schutz der U-Bootstützpunkte Lorient und St. Nazaire.
XII. Fliegerkorps hat seit 20.02.43 NJ-Gebiete "Bussard 2" im Umkreis von 80 km um Gerätestellung Ploumerien (20 km ostw. von Morlaix) mit Einsatzhafen Morlaix in Betrieb genommen.
Bezug: Gruppe West gKdos 03514 AL Führstb. vom 6.3.43

XII. Fliegerkorps nimmt voraussichtlich ab Nacht 22./23. Februar 1943 im Umkreis von 60 km um Gerätestellung
Plaintel (9 km SSW St. Brieuc) das Dunkelnachtjagdgebiet (Eisb.) "Bussard 1" in Betrieb. Einsatzhafen für 3. Schwarm 10./NJG 5 ist Dinard.
FS GK XII. Fliegerkorps Ia op Nr. 514/43 gKdos vom 16.2.43 an Lfl. 3

This is the earliest information on the employment of NJ-Trains in France I have ever come across.
bregds
SES

[Henofred]

Hi SES,

Very, very interesting! Thank you for sharing.

In Gebhard Aders' book about the Nachtjadg's History I found also this excerpt regarding NJG 5: [...] Soweit bekannt, wurden nur im Frühjahr 1943 von Lorient aus durch Besatzungen der IV./NJG 5 systematische Einsätze mit Freya-Halbe geflogen.[...].

Regards,
Frederic

[SES]

Originally Posted by SES

Hi,
To-day I received this interesting information from a friend:

Source: BArch RM 35 II/136 Blatt Nr. ?
Januar 1943: Einrichtung von Nachtjagd-Gebieten zum Schutz der U-Bootstützpunkte Lorient und St. Nazaire.
XII. Fliegerkorps hat seit 20.02.43 NJ-Gebiete "Bussard 2" im Umkreis von 80 km um Gerätestellung Ploumerien (20 km ostw. von Morlaix) mit Einsatzhafen Morlaix in Betrieb genommen.
Bezug: Gruppe West gKdos 03514 AL Führstb. vom 6.3.43

XII. Fliegerkorps nimmt voraussichtlich ab Nacht 22./23. Februar 1943 im Umkreis von 60 km um Gerätestellung
Plaintel (9 km SSW St. Brieuc) das Dunkelnachtjagdgebiet (Eisb.) "Bussard 1" in Betrieb. Einsatzhafen für 3. Schwarm 10./NJG 5 ist Dinard.
FS GK XII. Fliegerkorps Ia op Nr. 514/43 gKdos vom 16.2.43 an Lfl. 3

This is the earliest information on the employment of NJ-Trains in France I have ever come across.
bregds
SES

Never quote from memory. Reading my own WEB-site I can see that 1./Ln-Flugmeldeabteilungen (E) z.b.V. 21. SUMATRA I was employed near Plounerin from 17 FEB 1943. Please see:
http://www.gyges.dk/Ln%20zbV%20SUM%201.htm
this could be the same unit as BUSSARD 2, which later had a change of name, when it was affiliated to a new Abt.
bregds
SES

[Theo Boiten]

Hi Michael,

Many thanks for posting this new and highly interesting snippet of information. And yes, I also believe that Sumatra I was the same as Bussard 2 -Oblt Tschiedel was the JLO of Sumatra I in Raum Bussard 2 when he successfully guided Uffz. Heintze onto a Wellington on the night of 25-26.2.43.

Cheers, Theo