Loss of Me 262 A-1a WNr. 170305 9K+BB on 6 February 1945?

[Karoband]

Good afternoon,

Jan Horn is definite in referring to Me 262 A-1a "Werk-Nr. 170305" as 9K+BB in Das Flerschaden-Geschwader, (2010). It is mentioned on p. 181 (11 Nov 1944), p. 218 (1 Jan 1945 flown by Gruppenkommandeur Major Unrau, and p. 222 (both 4 Jan and 6 Jan 1945).

Then, on pages 235 and 236, for the day of "6. Februar 1945" in the "Starkemeldung der I./KG 51 fur diesem Tag um 16:30 Uhr an den Stab/KG 51" under "Starke-Abang" is found "9K+BB abgeschossen". In the appendix Verluste im KG 51 on p. 362, Me 262 A-1a 170305 9K+BB is given as 100% Bruch but under the place and cause is the word "unbekannt" and there are only question marks for the pilot.

Is anything further known about the loss of 170305?

Jim

[Dan O'Connell]

The last date I have on it was that it was still at Giebelstadt on 5 February 45.

[Nick Beale]

According to ULTRA messages, on 6 January BB, W.Nr. 170305 was on the strength of 1./KG 51; it had 4 x MK 108. On 4 February BB was having its boost control repaired. On 20 February there was a different BB, W.Nr. 110626.

[Karoband]

Dan and Nick,

Thank you for your quick replies. On page 241 of Das Flurschaden-Geschwader, Horn quotes the Starkemeldung for 15 February that indicates there was a 9K+BB at Hopsten. On page 271 he also identifies 9K+BB as "Werk-Nr. 110626."

I find it curious that there is no record of an Me 262 supposedly shot down with 100% damage.

[Dan O'Connell]

Dear Karoband, this is the first I have heard of this book. Is there enough Me 262 information in it to justify buying a copy? Thank you, Dan

[Karoband]

Hi Dan,

In my opinion it is a gold mine. The subtitle is "Die Chronik des Kamfgeschwaders 51 'Edelweiss' zwischen dem 1. Januar 1944 bis Kriegsende". At least two-thirds of it is devoted to Me 262 operations quoting flugbuche and daily unit reports. Be aware that Horn differentiates A-1a as having four MK 108s and A-2a as having two MK 108s but both can have bomb racks and can be changed at the unit level. He is not being sloppy when the same werknummer is referred to an A-1a and then an A-2a at different times. The book is pricy but in my opinion worth it.

Jim

[Nick Beale]

I've got it but can't claim to have read all the Me 262 section yet (I was more interested in the Me 410 and Fw 190 ops, to be honest) but he does credit my website as a source, so you may have seen some part of the Me 262 information before.

[Dan O'Connell]

OK Jim, you've convinced me, do you know where I can buy a copy? And the full name of the book? I'll do any thing to increase my knowledge of Me 262 WN's. I don't believe Horn uses English so I'm prepared to have to translate the proper info from German. Thank you! Dan

[Dan O'Connell]

Nick, I'm glad someone is working on Me 410's! I know very little about it, as I've concentrated on 262's. Go for it!

[Karoband]

I got my copy from Christian Schmidt Fachbuchhandlung, Munich. The full name of the book is Das Flurschaden-Geschwader Die Chronik des Kampfgeschwaders 51 "Edelweiss" zwischen dem 1. Januar 1944, (2010) by Jan Horn. ISBN 978-3-00-031565-7