I Gruppe JG 53 damaged on the 24th October 1941?

[Adriano Baumgartner]

I do NOT have the 3 volumes of JG 53 History (Dr. PRIEN) at hand now (they are stored away from where I am now).

Can someone do check IF on the 24th October 1941, there is ANY damaged Bf 109 reported? (I/JG 53?).

Oberleutnant Quaet-Faslem claimed a Spitfire and there is at least a RAF claim for a Bf 109 damaged around Texel (between The Hook and Ijmuiden). Since I can not check on my 3 volumes now, would someone be able just to check this for me please?

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[SteveR]

Nothing listed for 24 October 1941. Oblt. Quaet-Faslem's kill is shown as 1540 hours.

There are losses listed for I./JG 53 on 25 October 1941 though. Are they have potential interest?

[Adriano Baumgartner]

THANK YOU very much Steve.

Am not sure if any combat damage ocurred on the 24th would be recorded the next day. I comprehend from answers here at TOCH that probably no....the claim was made on the 24th, for a "damaged"....but the Bf 109 escaped.

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[Chris Goss]

I can see no claims in that area for 24 Oct 41 but on 25 Oct 41, two Bf 109s were claimed in the Dutch area. What is your source?

[SteveR]

Could the date of the RAF claim be incorrect, i.e. a typo when it should have been 25 October?

[Adriano Baumgartner]

CHRIS and STEVE, thank you very much for kind attention and information...but it was recorded on the 24th indeed....(probably a bit optimistic....but a damage was saw and reported nevertheless):

Source: FILE AIR 50/64/38 and AIR 50/64/8

B Flight
Three enemy aircraft
Type Me 109 F
Time attack delivered 14:57hs
Place: 40 miles from Dutch Coast
Height: zero
One Damaged
One Spitfire missing
One – Sgt. Axe – missing
400 yards – 3 ½ seconds
“On the return from the shipping sweep, between The Hook and Ijmuiden, with a box of 3 Blenheims, which was escorted by 6 aircraft of “B” Flight, 152 Squadron, two Me 109 F’s were seen at 14:57hs following the formation about a mile behind. I was flying at 500 feet and turned with BLUE 2 to attack, but as I approached the 109’s, I saw another nearer 109 approaching form astern. It passed beneath me at zero feet and I turned to port and dived on it from a height of 200 feet, firing 3 ½ seconds burst form astern, closing from 400 yards and saw my De Wilde hit starboard wing of E/A.
E/A climbed into sun and I lost sight of it. I claim one E/A damaged.

OBS: I thought it could or should be the same machine of Oblt Quaet-Faslem....but it does not seems the case...A minimum of damage may have been reported by the Luftwaffe....since it seems that some De Wilde shells hit the starboard wing at least....BUT no documents, no evidence...

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[Chris Goss]

Sqn Ldr Darwen was the only pilot to open fire an afterwards admitted he did not see the results hence no claim. FYI, Franks in his book on FC Losses says the combat was off Dorset!!!

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Chris,

Thanks for the additional information...and yes, some 40-50 miles W of Dutch Coast it is closer to UK Airspace than "Hun Territory". What and where he hit (if he eventually hit it) will remain a mystery. This is the beauty of Military History....

Take care and keep the excellent work flowing.

Semper Fi
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