Attempt to identify Luftwaffe losses in the last 6 months of the war using the example of Mikhail Kuzmin (15.ORAP VVS KBF)

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello,

Mikhail Evseevich Kuzmin (1920-1999) served in the 15th Separate Recce Aviation Regiment of the Baltic Fleet Air Force (15.ORAP of VVS KBF) from July 1944. He flew a Yak-9. Prior to that, he served in the 12.IAP of 9.ShAD VVS KBF, where he claimed several victories, all in 1944. It is difficult to verify what was behind these claims in reality. But after transferring to 15.ORAP, most of his claims were made over the sea, against anti-submarine aircraft and minesweeper aircraft.

Since the Kriegsmarine docs have been preserved much better than the Luftwaffe docs, some of his claims can be verified, and I hope that some others as well.
All of these claims were made during the main task - recce - and were incidental successes. On these missions, Kuzmin was the lead pilot, and I do not currently know the names of his wingmen. The dates of the claims in the publications are sometimes incorrect, but here the dates have been verified using operational reports and combat flight logs. So, 9 claims:

13.Nov.44:
Claim: 09:25 msk = 07:25 MEZ two Yak-9s attacked a BV138, after an 8-minute attack it ditched in 5420N/1940E (near Elbing, in Frisches Haff) with its right engine on fire, 15 km from the shore. Kuzmin probably did not finish it off due to a lack of fuel.

German data: according to several Kriegsmarine docs (radio received at 08:45 MEZ), three [sic!] Russian fighters attacked a BV138 from SAG126 in L.Qu.0631 (30 km w Memel), the aircraft broke the mission due to weapon failure.
The distance between these events is about 150 km. There may be an error in the coordinates. Neither the Soviet Air Armies nor other units of VVS KBF were related to these events.

17.Nov.44 (Episode 1):
Claim: BV138 shot down at 12:38 msk = 10:38 MEZ in 5515N/2000E (north of Cape Brüsterort, East Prussia).
German data: at 12:00 MEZ, a message was received from SAG126 that BV138 had been missing since 11:30, with no radio from it.
This loss is recorded in Summarische Verlustmeldungen (RL2-III/816, /846): SAG126, 5 crewmen MIA, incl.1 officer. The NVM probably contains the names of the crew members, possibly the WNr and other details.

17.Nov.44 (Episode 2):
Claim: Ar95 [undoubtedly Ar196] shot down in the Užava area (Courland) at 16:15 msk = 14:15 MEZ
German data: According to a report from XXXXIII AK AOK16, at 14:30 MEZ two Russian fighters shot down a German seaplane in Qu. ET1c (corresponds to the location of the Soviet claim).
This loss is recorded in Summarische Verlustmeldungen (RL2-III/816, /846): SAG126, "durch Bordwaffenbeschuss, total, mit Feindbeobachtung", 2 crewmen KIA , incl.1 officer. The NVM probably contains the names of the crew members, possibly the WNr and other details.

9.Feb.45
Claim: During the mission 16:45-18:22 msk (14:45-16:22 MEZ), two Yak-9s engaged in the air combat with two FW190. One of the FW190s was shot down and crashed into the water.
German data: ???

The rest will be in the next post.

Best regards,
Andrey

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

2nd Part

18.Feb.45 (Episode 1)
Claim: A pair of Yak-9 on a recce mission to Danzig Bay at 09:02 msk = 07:02 MEZ shot down a Ju52 minesweeper [Ju52MS]. According to one source, Soviet pilots killed the air gunner and attempted to force the Ju52 to fly to a Soviet airfield. After flying in that direction for several minutes, the Ju52 attempted to escape, after which it was shot down and crashed east of the port of Danzig.
German data: ???

18.Feb.45 (Episode 2)
Claim: A pair of Yak-9s on a recce mission at 14:55 msk = 12:55 MEZ in difficult weather conditions shot down one of three Ju52 [Ju52MS] minesweepers that were sweeping the Libau outer harbour in a wedge formation.
German data: Ju52MS WNr 3437 3K+EP from 6./MSGr1 shot down, crew is known (4 KIA, 1 WIA).

19.Feb.45
Claim: a pair of Yak-9s on a recce mission at 09:20 msk = 07:20 MEZ, 8 km west of Pillau, shot down a Ju52 minesweeper [Ju52MS].
German (British) data: ULTRA DEFE3 540 p.459: 3rd Defence Flotilla [3.Vp-Fl?] situation report 1600/19.2: … B) 4 M/S aircraft attacked and damaged by 2 enemy single-engined A/C (‘LaGG’) at 0745 on way 75 between position 2 and 3.

It needs to be verified, but it seems to be about 100 km west of the Gulf of Danzig. However, since the Air Armies were not involved in this episode, a pair of Yak-9s from the 15.ORAP is the only possible option. Maybe there is an error in the location in the German radio.

12.Apr.45
Claim: a pair of Yak-9 of 15.ORAP escorted another pair of Yak-9s from the same rgt on a recce mission over Libau. In an air combat with 4 FW190s south of Libau at 11:40 msk = 10:40 DSZ, Kuzmin personally shot down a FW190, the pilot baled out.
German data: ???

My note: in cases where pilots baled out are mentioned, the probability that the claim corresponds to reality is quite high.

13.Apr.45
Claim: a pair of Yak-9s on a photo reconnaissance mission to Pillau harbour at 10:38 = 09:38 DSZ in the area of Gross Dirschkeim airfield (East Prussia) were attacked by 12 FW190s. Kuzmin personally shot down two FW190s, which crashed in the area of the airfield.
German data: ???

My note: the episode seems strange. Maybe the Yaks attacked FW190 ground attack (Schlacht) planes on the approach for landing.


Any additional info about these cases is welcomed.

Best regards,
Andrey

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Perhaps it would be worth asking the question in more general terms.

As far as I can see, the filling of summary reports on aircraft losses broken down by units (Summarische Verlustmeldungen, RL2-III/843 and subsequent files) ended on 31.Jan.45. The same thing with flight personnel losses apparently ended completely on 31.Dec.44.

Daily reports on losses for 1945 have been preserved for 1.Mar.-1.Apr.45 only. It is clear that these reports are incomplete.

Summary accounting of aircraft losses by type (without breakdown by unit) continued at least until the end of March.

Thus, determining the losses of specific units for 1945 (and for the last months of 1944) is problematic.

When did the compilation of NVM reports (Vordruck II) end in 1945 en masse?

Best regards,
Andrey

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Andrey Kuznetsov

When did the compilation of NVM reports (Vordruck II) end in 1945 en masse?

Best regards,
Andrey

I think there's a close correlation between the end of (known) Qen,Qu. 6. Abt. loss reports and the Allies crossing the Rhine at the end of March. It looks as if administrative systems fell apart very fast after that.

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello Nick,

It seems to me that the cessation of filling out summary loss reports coincided roughly with the beginning of the evacuation of the Luftwaffe headquarters from Berlin and its environs. I don't know when they stopped filling out Vordruck II, so I can't assess how much the crossing of the Rhine influenced this.
According to docs of Lfl6, Qu-Meldungen continued to be reported even at the end of April 1945. The question is whether they were also sent on Vordruck II forms, and if so, until what date did they survive the war.

This brings us back to the original question about specific cases of losses. I'm particularly interested in Kuzmin's 1st claim on 18.Feb.45 (07:02 msk). It is described in considerable detail, but I can't find any info about it from the German side. It seems that there were personnel losses in this episode, and Vordruck II could have helped.

Other Kuzmin's ‘maritime’ claims are correspond to actual German losses.

Best regards,
Andrey

[Monaco]

Hello Andrey,
interesting soviet pilot...maybe I can add some to what you´ve found so far:
13.11.44
"Units like 2./SAGr.130 were part of the broader Norwegian-Baltic coastal air commands (Fliegerführer Nord) and operated in the Skagerrak and southern Baltic regions", then using Rønne on Bornholm as a base. The unit lost a BV 138C1 on 13.11.44 missing (100%) according to RL2 III/846 (via http://www.luftwaffe-zur-see.de/Seel...n/Jahr1944.htm).
I´m not pretty sure if this info about 2./SAGr.130 is correct as I so far thought it operated only in the Polar zone, but maybe in the winter months it was ordered south to the Baltic...?
17.11.44
On 17.11.44 SAGr.126 recorded 1 Ar 196 A missing (100%) and a second Ar 196 A total loss through enemy onboard weapon fire (100%). A BV 138 C1 of 2./SAGr.130 was a total loss (100%) - betriebsbedingt (RL 2 III/846) http://www.luftwaffe-zur-see.de/Seel...n/Jahr1944.htm)
9.2.45
Maybe: "FW 190A" Uffz. Helmut Johne, pilot, Stabsstaffel/JG 51 – shot down in air combat? The pilot died - 1 VA pilots claimed 8 Fw.190s that day, flak one further.
18.2.45
Did Kuzmin in both combats describe the Ju.52s as minesweepers - maybe a misidentification with the equally three-engined Ju.352 in murky conditions over sea was possible...
On 18.02.45 13./TG.4 lost a three-engined Ju.352 through unknown cause between Vietzkerstrand and Heiligenbeil with the crew Fw. Hermann Reuschel (FF), Uffz. Johann Baumgart (Bf), Fw. Friedrich Stadler (Bm), Ogefr. Johann Manoch (Bs) all MIA and Ogefr. Willy Lüdtke KIA.
Crew according to RL III/1197: Ofw. Peulster (FF), Ogefr. Ordnung (Bf), Fw. Wastian (B), Ogefr. Lustig (Bm), Uffz. Steffen (Bs) all KIA, Ju.52/3 of 6. Minensuchstaffel crashed due to enemy fire (100% loss).
19.02.45
Maybe also a Ju.352 misidentified:
On 19.02.45 15./TG.4 lost a three-engined Ju.352 in a ditching 7km W Pillau (100% loss) with the unknown crew save, whilst Großraum Tr.St. Lost 1 Ju.352 A at Pillau A/D through enemy fire (100% loss), the crew of Ofw. Hebler escaped without losses.
12.04.45
"Bf 109G" Hptm. Günther Schack, corps of group I./JG 51 – shot down by Yak-3 of the Normandy-Niemen regiment? Pilot alive, facial burns - Schack was prob. s/d in combat with GC Normandie, pilots of 1 VA claimed 14 victories over Fw.190/Bf.109s.
13.04.45
No additions. German losses probably not recorded anymore.

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello Monaco,

Thank you very much for your comments.

A general remark about misidentification. Kuzmin was transferred from a fighter regiment to reconnaissance for his outstanding observation skills. Of course, mistakes are always possible, but in this case they are much less likely than usual.

Originally Posted by Monaco

interesting soviet pilot...maybe I can add some to what you´ve found so far:
13.11.44
"Units like 2./SAGr.130 were part of the broader Norwegian-Baltic coastal air commands (Fliegerführer Nord) and operated in the Skagerrak and southern Baltic regions", then using Rønne on Bornholm as a base. The unit lost a BV 138C1 on 13.11.44 missing (100%) according to RL2 III/846 (via http://www.luftwaffe-zur-see.de/Seel...n/Jahr1944.htm).
I´m not pretty sure if this info about 2./SAGr.130 is correct as I so far thought it operated only in the Polar zone, but maybe in the winter months it was ordered south to the Baltic...?

On 15.Jan.45 SAGr130 remained in Norway (see map in RL2-II/3908, already digitized). Maybe it was not entire Staffeln that were transferred to the Baltic, but individual aircraft, given the increased activity of Soviet submarines and the exceptional importance of maritime transport in the Baltic Sea for the Germans during this period. But this is pure speculation.

Originally Posted by Monaco

9.2.45
Maybe: "FW 190A" Uffz. Helmut Johne, pilot, Stabsstaffel/JG 51 – shot down in air combat? The pilot died - 1 VA pilots claimed 8 Fw.190s that day, flak one further.

Since the time of the German loss is unknown, it is impossible to draw accurate conclusion.

Originally Posted by Monaco

18.2.45
Did Kuzmin in both combats describe the Ju.52s as minesweepers - maybe a misidentification with the equally three-engined Ju.352 in murky conditions over sea was possible...
On 18.02.45 13./TG.4 lost a three-engined Ju.352 through unknown cause between Vietzkerstrand and Heiligenbeil with the crew Fw. Hermann Reuschel (FF), Uffz. Johann Baumgart (Bf), Fw. Friedrich Stadler (Bm), Ogefr. Johann Manoch (Bs) all MIA and Ogefr. Willy Lüdtke KIA.

Yes, Kuzmin reported on the minesweeper aircraft. And it would be difficult to confuse a Ju52MS with a ring for non-contact minesweeping that is almost the size of the aircraft itself, especially when observing it for several minutes. Though who knows...

Originally Posted by Monaco

19.02.45
Maybe also a Ju.352 misidentified:
On 19.02.45 15./TG.4 lost a three-engined Ju.352 in a ditching 7km W Pillau (100% loss) with the unknown crew save, whilst Großraum Tr.St. Lost 1 Ju.352 A at Pillau A/D through enemy fire (100% loss), the crew of Ofw. Hebler escaped without losses.

See above. But this contact here was apparently fleeting, and misidentification maybe more likely.

Originally Posted by Monaco

12.04.45
"Bf 109G" Hptm. Günther Schack, corps of group I./JG 51 – shot down by Yak-3 of the Normandy-Niemen regiment? Pilot alive, facial burns - Schack was prob. s/d in combat with GC Normandie, pilots of 1 VA claimed 14 victories over Fw.190/Bf.109s.

Same comment as for 9.2.45

Best regards,
Andrey

[Monaco]

Hi Andrey,
about the Ju.52s, I would agree on that, if Kuzim identified them having their sweeping ring attached they were hardly Ju.352s.

Cheers

Michael

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hi Michael,

I thought about it some more... I don't know if Kuzmin's own reports have been preserved; I haven't seen them. All of the above info comes from daily operative reports etc, i.e. sources that are secondary to Kuzmin's own reports. It says there that the planes were minesweepers. I don't know if Kuzmin saw the rings or in some cases came to the conclusion that they were minesweepers based on the nature of their flight over the sea.

Therefore, some uncertainty remains. Since these events took place mainly near the coast, it may be helpful to search for evidence from the land forces of both sides. When/if I have more free time, I'll check it.

Cheers,
Andrey

[Andrei Demjanko]

RL 5/1303 contains NVM for BV 138 and Ar 196 lost on 17.11.1944