Bf 109 shot down at Burg, 24th March 1944

[Richard Goyat]

I second Andreas about its analysis of the JG 300 losses. The 109 mentioned as destroyed in aerial combat on 24 March 1944 may well have been lost during the 24/25 March night. Unfortunately, the location of this loss is not known.

As for the two I./JG 300 aircraft lost on 25 March 1944, I believe that the operational flight they were on occurred during the same 24/25 March night, and that both were destroyed during landing accidents which took place at Oranienburg and Jüterbog respectively. But once again I agree with Andreas when he writes that the real cause of these losses wasn't necessarily rightly recorded.

Adriano, I don't think the Fw 190 of II./JG 300 was the aircraft you are looking for, firstly because it was lost near Krefeld (which is quite a distance from Burg) and secondly because its pilot, Lt. Karl Schick, told us how he collided with a four-engine bomber that night. Schick's story is detailed in our book about JG 300 on pages 144-145 of the French version (ed. Larivière) or page 154 of the American version (Eagle Editions).

Regards
Richard Goyat

[Erich]

Adriano :

we must also rule out NJG 11 as the Fw 190/Bf 109G unit was not in existance until August of 44 with I. gruppe under F.K. Müller. II gruppe on 26 November 44 from the 10.(N)/JG 300 forming the backing for the 5/6th staffels.

E ~

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, guys.

In my opinion we should look for a loss recorded for 24th March. Seems that the guys in the Mossie spent 3 hrs 10 minutes in the air before midnight and 2 hrs 5 minutes in the air after midnight.

On the homeward leg the cruising speed would probably be reduced due to the fact they were flying on one engine.

Anyone plotted the Bradwell Bay - Stendal -Woodbridge route and calculated the times?

I guess Bradwell Bay was close to Bradwell-on-Sea east of London, and Woodbridge was a bit east of Ipswich?



Best regards,
Andreas B

[David Pausey]

Hi ALL

I have found W/C Hoares combat report with my other 23 Sqn Papers heres a shortened version:-

Mosquito VI UP-L took off from Bradwell Bay at 20:40 hrs to patrol STEND and BURG A/F's in support of Bomber Command's raid on BERIN. The Dutch coasr was crossed at ALKMAAR at 21:35 hrs. STENADL was reached at 23:05 hrs. After flying round this A/F it was thought that presence of the Intruder was known and that consequently they were endeavouring to land at BURG so course was set fot this A/F at 23:26. BURG was reached at 23:32, two e/a were seen to land but were not attacked, a third e/a was seen to land at 23:39 with its D.R.L. on and taxied in a N.W. dirction across the A/F still with its D.R.L. on, this was attacked from the stern quarter. Fire was opened from 1800 feet, range 800 yds. closing to 400 feet heoght, 100 yds range with one long burst of cannon and M.G. Many strikes were seen over e/a and an explosion in centre of the fuselage occurred which threw debris in all directions. In the flash of the explosion F/O Muir recognised the e/a as a Me109. Because of the shortage of fuel course was set straight back to STENDEL other e/a were seen with nav lights on in this area. Course was set fot home at 23:47 and wile passing SALZWEDEL at 23:52 the port motor failed and airscrew was feathered. The remaining 420 miles were flown on one motor, crossing out 5 miles S. of EGMOND at 01:27 and landing at Woodbridge at 02:25 hrs.

I do not know if this helps with finding out which unit the "Me109" came from but I would be very intersted we can.

Regards

David