Last loss of a Hs123

[Merlin]

Hello Remi,

this was WNr. 2738 from Stab I./SG 2 marked white 4+, Lt. Herbert Elend dead.

[RT]

Really "magic" Merlin, posting this one I was pretty sure that no answer araise, may I force my modesty to ask from which source come the info ??

Remi

[cproyston]

Merlin/Remi,

I too am interested in a source for this.

I was aware from the Flugzeugbestand und Bewegungsmeldungen returns for II./SG2 that the unit reported four Hs 123s on strength between November and December 1944, but have nothing similar noted for I. Gruppe,

Cheers,
Chris

[RT]

Now on 12.dez. one more Hs but that time a 126, declared as missing recce ops. over Nagy bajon Plattensee Hungary

Remi

[cproyston]

Remi,

Can't help with your loss, but a 3. staffel Hs 126 (??+EL - with a yellow E) was found and photographed at Klagenfurt wearing full post-7th March 1945 Luftflotte 4 ID markings, proving the type saw front-line action right up until the end of the war.

The only Luftflotte 4 operators of the Hs 126 "should" have been 2./NAGr.12 (reporting 15 Hs 126/Bf 109s on strength 9.4.45) or NASt. Kroatien (reporting 16 Hs 126/Bf 109/Bf 110s on strength 9.4.45), but my suspicion is the aircraft belonged to 3.(F)/121, whose Ju 188s were identically marked (the other recce 3. staffel in Luftflotte 4, 3.(F)/33, didn't bother carrying the yellow ID markings or have coloured individual aircraft letters).

So, I only have circumstantial evidence, but perhaps yours also belonged to 3.(F)/121?

Cheers,
Chris

PS I recall, but can't find where the info is to confirm when, that NSGr.7 reported the type on strength, but your "recce ops" probably rules them out.

[DaveWest99]

Hi RT/Merlin,

I too am very interested in where your information came from. I'm researching the Hs123 and any loss information would be most welcome.

Regards
Dave

[FrankieS]

Nachname: Elend
Vorname: Herbert
Dienstgrad: Leutnant
Geburtsdatum: 30.10.1909
Geburtsort: Aberg
Todes-/Vermisstendatum: 05.12.1944
Todes-/Vermisstenort: 3 km v.Marcali


Herbert Elend ruht auf der Kriegsgräberstätte in Böhönye (Ungarn), unter den Unbekannten.

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by cproyston

The only Luftflotte 4 operators of the Hs 126 "should" have been 2./NAGr.12 (reporting 15 Hs 126/Bf 109s on strength 9.4.45) or NASt. Kroatien (reporting 16 Hs 126/Bf 109/Bf 110s on strength 9.4.45) …

The Hs 126 with 2./NAG 12 in April 1945? Stab, 1. and 2./NAG 12 had been operating Bf 109s throughout 1944 and early 1945 (and reporting only Bf 109s on strength) — is your source saying there was a last-minute switch? Again, whenever NA Staffel Kroatien reported operations, it seems always to have been with the Hs 126, no 109s or other types.

[cproyston]

Hi Nick,

Totally agree that it seems confused, the recorded aircraft types seem not to match with what was "on the ground" or reported in movements, but that's what they reported in my source, albeit in complete contradiction to all the available evidence.

I agree that 2./NAGr.12 report only Bf 109s on strength and on operations, but the April report does mention the Hs 126, with no mention in any movement reports. Unfortunately the report does not differentiate between different types, just "Hs 126-Bf 109 - 16(Soll),15(Ist),15(Eins)"

NASt. Kroatien, whilst reporting Bf 109s on strength, also (themselves) contradict by not reporting any movements or operations for the type - only the Bf 110 is mentioned (Bf 110G-3, WNr not recorded, last mentioned as out for "Überholung" in Dec 44) and then nothing until April '45. As for 2./NAGr.12, no differentiation of types is mentioned, just "Hs 126-Bf 109-Bf 110 - 16(Soll),17(Ist),16(Eins)"

I'm unsure if this indicates a last minute switch, I'd still agree with you entirely that it just seems not to make any sense and I've tried (and am still trying) to sort this out in my head for some time now and find evidence to either corroborate or refute it - did they misreport intentionally? surely this can't just be typos? were they just re-allocating what was left?

I just don't know, but hope this helps explain some of it and/or goes some way to qualifying my original post?

Cheers,
Chris

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by RT

Now on 12.dez. one more Hs but that time a 126, declared as missing recce ops. over Nagy bajon Plattensee Hungary

Is the unit known? And the crew?