Ar 234 W.Nr. 140154 Reason for loss?

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Jaap Woortman

Jim/Roger,

The Ar 234B F1+DT, flown by Lt. A.Frank was intercepted on his return flight from Liege(B) at December 25th 1944.
He was attacked by two Tempests of No. 80 Sqn (see NA Air 27/671 ORB 80 Sqn.) over South Netherlands.
His plane was damaged and crashed just outside Teuge airfield. The pilot rescued himself by parachute.
Sources:
P.Grimm, 'Vliegvelden in oorlogstijd'. Amsterdam 2009.
J.J.Speelziek, 'Van op den Toega naar Teuge'. Teuge 1990.

Jaap

On the other hand …

CX/MSS/T409/53

From KABEK ((KG)) 51 ((IA)), No. 1297 stamped 1230/24/12.

Battle report 25/12:

Formation: (C% KADOP) ((III./KG)) 76.

Operated: 9 Ar 234. Take off 09.14 to 09.26 hrs. Landing 10.22 to 10.48 hrs.
Task as for ops order (+).

Result: Gliding from 4000 to 2000 metres with 9 SC 500 Trialen. Time of attack 09.50 to 10.00 hrs. Flak defence badly aimed. Up to 6 Spitfires and Thunderbolts. No attack.

Losses: None.

Successes: 8 a/c on Liège, 1 a/c on Namur, direct hits on railway installations (smudge).

Special observations: Railway stations Liège and Namur (B% completely) occupied. Airfield north Liège occupied by fighters and 3 4-engined a/c.

NOTE:

(1) (+) Not seen.

(2) First reports of ops by III./KG 76 since reequipped with Ar 234 a/c.

For recent information on III./KG 76 see comments below (T365/31, 369/75, 403/19)
… Comment … On 18th 3 JD entrusted with protection of airfields of K 51, 3rd Gruppe K 76 and 3rd Gruppe J 7 … Strength of 3rd Gruppe K 76 unknown but on 14th November the bringing up of an Operations Staffel mentioned … K 76 on 10 November stated Ar 234 aircraft owing technical reasons could only be loaded with bombs and dropping containers weighing 500 kilos.