Operation Bodenplatte

[John Manrho]

Gentlemen,

I can a little to what was written in my book. Indeed Gefr. Horst Sengpiel of 12./JG 26 flew Bf 109K-4, WNr. 330379, schwarze 15. This info comes from RL2-III-1172/62. The NVM states that he flew Wnr. 464330, schwarze 12, but this can not be true as this a/c is also listed as a loss wit 14./EJG 1 on 22.11.1944, so the data of the GQM must be true.

The circumstances of the loss itself is a little bit unclear. There is a report that he was last seen at 10.04 hrs on the way back and that he was hit by intense AAA and that he flew in northeasterly direction with a trail of smoke. This was apparantly reported by a ground unit.

However, I still believe that it is more likely that Gefr. Sengpiel was shot down on the way in. First, the loss of Uffz. Karl-Heinz Berndt (also 12./JG 26) was also reported as during the way back, but from the ADI(K) interogation report we know now he was shot down on the way in. Furthermore there are reports from veterans also that Gefr. Sengpiel was shot down on the way in.

This is the reason why I kept that story in my book as the most accurate one.

Cheers,

John.