Messerschmitt Me 210 scorers

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

I should mention that some of the information included in Me 210/410 Zerstörer Units by Forsyth, such as that regarding the claims by Leutnant Rudolf Dassow (22 victories, RK, killed in action 25 August 1944) on 1 March 1943 and 9 April 1943, is also given in A History of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940 - 1945, Volume 3 by Shores (pages 368 and 462). The first victory is listed as a probable and in regards to the second it is written that he is believed to have been one of the four claimants against the Spitfire fighters of the 52nd FG, USAAF.

Horrido!

Leo

[knusel]

Good morning Gabor,

OK, I keep Dóczy Lóránd in mind who was credited with 2 kills in the Me 210 on 13.4.44.

Good morning John,

OK, I note down 2 Me 210 claims for Dassow.
In Robert Forsyth's OSPREY volume, there's no sources or bibliography page.
Shall I tell you the names of the acknowledgements ?

Good morning Leo,

may it be that Dassow's probable from 2.3.43 was confirmed later ?

I wish you a good start into the new week,

Michael

[HGabor]

The reason why Lt.Col. Dóczy Lóránd got credited 2 victories on April 13, 1944 in his Me 210Ca-1 Z.0+54, is because he destroyed a B-24H (S/N: 42-52366) at Délegyháza indeed, plus he claimed a P-38 at Szolgaegyháza (Now: Szabadegyháza).

Since the 15 AAF lost no P-38 in Hungary this day, this was just probably a damaged P-38.

BUT: 15 USAAF, 325 FG, 317 FS lost a Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt (S/N: 42-75651) right at Szolgaegyháza on April 13, 1944! When investigators saw the destroyed, burned remains of the Thunderbolt, they thought this had to be Dóczy's P-38 claim at the very same spot! So he got credited the P-38 since an American wreck was found at the reported spot indeed. The P-47 was in such a bad condition, that nobody could see that it was a P-47D, not a P-38. (Or Dóczy shot down the Thunderbolt there and reported wrongly as a P-38...????? If so, both of his claims were legitimate victories, not overclaims and perhaps he had the most victories in the Me 210 indeed.) P-47D pilot, 2Lt. Richard K. Malloy (O-673405) was KIA. His plane hit the ground vertically with full speed...

BTW, Lt.Col. Dóczy Lóránd (1905-1978) has passed away in 1978 in Montreal, Canada.
Gabor

[knusel]

Good morning Gabor,

thanks for that elaborate and interesting info.
If Dóczy Lóránd was credited with 2 kills we could consider him the most successful scorer of the Me 210 until we find someone credited with three kills.
I wonder if Dassow's B-24 on 1.3./2.3. was part of his total of 22 kills ?

Have a nice Tuesday,

Michael

[John Manrho]

My estimated guess would be max 7.

John

[knusel]

Good afternoon John,

a possible Me 210 ace ? That's exciting.
Do you have Rudolf Dassow claims that I don't have ?

I have:

• Me210: 1,3.43 ZG 1 B-24
• Me210: 9/10,4.43 7./ZG 1 Spitfire
• Bf110: 8,10.43 St./ZG 26 B-17
• Me410: 11,12.43 4./ZG 26 B-17
• Me410: 11,1.44 4./ZG 26 B-17
• Me410: 22,2.44 4./ZG 26 B-17
• Me410: 11,4.44 4./ZG 26 B-17
• Me410: 11,4.44 4./ZG 26 B-17
• Me410: 29,5.44 4./ZG 26 B-24
• Me410: 20,6.44 II./ZG 26 B-24
• Me410: 20,6.44 II./ZG 26 B-24
• Me410: 20,6.44 II./ZG 26 B-24

Cheers,

Michael

[John Manrho]

No I don't. But I believe his victory on 22.2.44 was probably his 11th....I counted backwards....

[knusel]

Rudolf Dassow might be both the top scorer of the Me 210 (2-7 kills) and the top scorer of the Me 410 (14-19 kills).

[knusel]

Did the Hungarians ever complain about being given these dreadful aircraft ?

[James A Pratt III]

According to the Osprey book on the Me 210/410 the Hungarians made changes and adjustments to the German Me 210 design like new engines, a longer fuselage and longer leading slats. Luftwaffe pilots found it better than the German version.