Air War Above Rzhev - Zubtsov

[Nokose]

3 August 1942

At 11:34 (MT) 2 sections (3 Pe-2 each) of the 205 BAP at an altitude of 2000 m bombed a German motor vehicle column on the road Zaprudnovo - Boguslovo - Aleksino. The Soviet bombers suffered no losses and made no mention of attacks by Bf 109. (TsAMO f. 311, o. 4495, d. 8, l. 251 Operational Report of the Staff 285 BAD).

With no time listed for the mission, 7 Pe-2 from 793 BAP bombed Vasyukovo. There was an attack on 4 Pe-2 by 2 Bf 109 but no losses were suffered (TsAMO f. 311, o. 0004495, d. 0070, l. 4 Journal of Combat Operations 3 VA)

During this time period Leutnant Johann-Gottlieb Engel of 9./JG 51 was confirmed a Pe-2 (1) at 10:36 as a posthumous victory. This would be his last as he was shot down in an air battle and attempted to make a forced landing in Bf 109 F-2 (# 8229) to the north of Zubtsov, resulting in 100% damage and his death. Engel would be awarded the German Iron Cross 2nd Class for this day.

The victor in the case of Engel is not possible to definitively confirm. Possibly, the victor could be one of the pilots of 5 GIAP but would depend on documents of that regiment.