Oblt Karl-Heinz Schaffer NJG 4

[RodM]

Originally Posted by Theo Boiten

A question for Mathias: would you be so kind as to post the sortie entries in the Flugbuch of one of Schäffer's crew members for the four Einsätze when he achieved his Abschüsse in 1944:
-5/6 February 1944
-24/25 April 1944
-5/6 May 1944
-7/8 May 1944

An open question for me is also why Karl-Heinz Schäffer did not add any more victories to his tally after being shot down on 7/8 May 1944; were his injuries so severe that he was declared unfit for further operational flying duties after 7/8 May 1944?

Best, Theo

Hi Theo,

Oblt. Schäffer was flying with III./NJG4 during 1945. According to ULTRA decrypts, he flew at least six nighttime sorties during February and March 1945, without achieving any victories.

He also tested FuG.218 when the new radar was introduced into III./NJG4. Stfw. Kollak made the first test flight in FuG.218-equipped Ju88G-6 WN 622814 3C+FS on 1/3/45. Oblt. Schäffer made the second test flight in the same aircraft on 2/3/45. These daytime tests involved the FuG.218 aircraft and another Ju88 acting as a target.

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From the flight log of Obgfr. Artmann, crew of Oblt. Schäffer:


Night 05.02. / 06.02.1944: take off Tavaux 22:43h, return Tavaux 00:58h, Abschuss Short Stirling, location appears to be 10 km Gailla or Gaille.


Night 24.04. / 25.04.1944: take off Tavaux 23:24h, return Tavaux 01:37h, Abschuss Avro Lancaster


Night 05.05. / 06.05.1944: take off Tavaux 00:07h, return Tavaux 01:26h, Abschuss Liberator


Night 07.05. / 08.05.1944: take off Tavaux 00:07h, Fallschirmabsprung, Motorbrand 01.10h, Abschuss Short Stirling


The next flight is on 30. October 1944 from Rhein Main airfield to familiarize with the Ju88. The last entry by Artmann is from 17.11.1944 a transfer flight to Gütersloh.


Kind regards,
Mathias

[Theo Boiten]

Hi Rod and Mathias,

Thanks a lot for adding these interesting and useful details to the Schäffer story!

Cheers, Theo