Heinrich zu Sayn-Wittgenstein

[knusel]

Hello,

has Heinrich zu Sayn-Wittgenstein scored all of his kills in the Ju 88 ?

Michael

[Leo Etgen]

Hi Michael

He was attached to I./NJG 1 equipped mainly with the Bf 110 during the Battle of the Ruhr and claimed five victories with this unit so it is possible that the answer to your question is no. Hopefully, others can add to or correct this.

Horrido!

Leo

[knusel]

Hello Leo,

I know I shouldn't quote Wikipedia:
"Stationed at Gilze-Rijen the order was issued to convert to the Bf 110 night fighter. Sayn-Wittgenstein flew the Bf 110 for one short flight only, but on the night of 24 June 1943, the aircraft had technical problems and was considered unserviceable. Kümmeritz and Sayn-Wittgenstein took off in their usual Ju 88 C and shot down four Avro Lancaster bombers (victories 32–35). Sayn-Wittgenstein never flew another Bf 110 again, preferring his Ju 88 to the Bf 110."

These statement refers to
Knott, Claire Rose (2008). Princes of Darkness — The lives of Luftwaffe night fighter aces Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weissenfeld.

I dont't have this book. Could anyone have a look in this book to confirm that during this only Bf 110 flight nothing happened ?

Michael

[knusel]

Good morning Gentlemen,

OSPREY will publish a Ju 88 volume in the Aircraft of the Aces series next January:
https://www.amazon.de/Aces-World-War...keywords=ju+88
I hope it'll make a definite statement if or if not Sayn-Wittgenstein has scored all his kills in that type.

Kind regards,

Michael

[knusel]

...the new Ju88 book by OSPREY doesn't seem to reveal if Sayn-Wittgenstein scored all of his kills in a Ju88. :-(

Michael

[Nick Hector]

Originally Posted by knusel

...the new Ju88 book by OSPREY doesn't seem to reveal if Sayn-Wittgenstein scored all of his kills in a Ju88. :-(

Michael

Whereas there are some very good volumes in the different Osprey series, they are hardly the best source for new and previously unpublished info.
The new Nachtjagd series by Theo Boiten would be a good first port of call for this kind of info

[knusel]

...the book also indicates a Sayn-Wittgenstein total of 79.

Michael

[knusel]

The Ju 88 was the most-built (2712) German nightfighter type although the two top-scoring nightfighter aces Schnaufer and Lent scored mainly in the Bf 110.
It was also the most-built (9344) German bomber type.
Was it also the most-built (1866) Germann WW2 reconnaissance type ?

[TigerTimon]

Hello Knusel,

You might be better off by starting a new thread?

KR Timon

[knusel]

Good evening Timon,

this thread is actually about the significance of the Ju 88 in Sayn-Wittgenstein's career. I remember having read that he flew only one mission in another plane but I cannot relocate the source neither do I know if he scored in that mission.
Do you ?

Have a good weekend,

Michael