Wekusta 2 Loss 20-3-1944

[Brian Bines]

Are there any more details about the loss of the Ju88 of Oblt. Karl Schmidt on 20-3-1944. The recent excellent , Wekusta book says he was shot down at Qubberon returning from a mission to the Atlantic with only the Bf surviving, is it known who shot them down . The crew lists in the book for Westa2 also show that Wd.Insp. Rosch was killed the same day. However the lists for Westa 51 show Oblt. Schmidt transferred to Westa 2 and Oblt Alfred Schmid and Wd.Insp Rosch as being killed on 20-3-44. I assme Rosch was also transferred to Westa 2 but could not tie in Alfred Schmid, any help appreciated,

Brian Bines

[David Pausey]

Hi Brian

10 Group Rodeo No. 101 sent six Spitfires of 165 Sqn on a sweep of Kerlin-Bastard and Vannes airfields, near Grandchamps a Ju88 was seen and shot down from 50 ft by F/O Eva and P/O Haslope. U.S. Fighters made no claims for Ju88s on this day and Coastal Command also made no claims. Grandchamps is near Quiberon and I think Chis Goss as more details about 165 Sqn.

Regards
David

[Chris Goss]

Brian/David: I know all about this loss but have no details on crew or Wk Nr etc (even have photos of the crash Form F etc) so can you add more? It was not 1/123, 3/123 or Wekusta 51 if that helps

[Brian Bines]

Chris:- the Wekusta book indicates Oblt.Karl Schmidt and Wd.Insp. Rosch had both served in Wekusta 51 but at the time of their death on 20-3-44 were with Wekusta 2. I am afraid thats all the information I have. I assume WAST still have restrictions on NVM's.
David:- thanks for the info,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Chris Goss]

Brian: There has been much confusion regards this crash (which came down at Retaud by the way). I can ask WASt for the Wekusta 2 detaills for this day. What else do you want to know about the crash?
Chris

[Brian Bines]

Chris : I was hoping for comfirmation of the crew names, and the aircraft details if available. Plus whether it is correct that both Oblt Karl Schmidt (Wekusta 2?) and Oblt Alfred Schmid (Wekusta 51?) were killed on 20-3-44,

Thanks

Brian

[Chris Goss]

Gentlemen: I believe there is no doubt that Eva & Haslope got this Wekusta 2 aircraft but where exactly did it come down? The Combat Reports say 165 flew Bolt Head to Plouescat to Plouvor to north of Kerlin Bastard to Vannes and it was then that they saw the Ju 88 headed east. They shot it down 15 miles north of Vannes which is approximately Grand Champs but no where near Quiberon (not Qubberon?) and I cannot find Leuthan (near Quimper). 165 then headed back NE of Morlaix

[Stéphane Lehuédé]

Leuthan is probably Leuhan, near Quimper.

[David Pausey]

I think that Quiberon is the correct spelling of Qubberon ?

Grandchamps about 10 miles from Quiberon if that helps ?

David

[heinz]

Grand-Champ is in the North of Vannes (12 Km)

Quiberon is near the sea in the South West of Vannes (more than 30km)