Me410 Pergia FTR 27/11/43

[Brian]

Hi guys

Of general interest:

Me 410 of 'Orlowski' Gruppe based at Perugia flown by Hans Bayer and Helmut Hein, lost its way and landed at Monte Corvino low on fuel on 27 November 1943. Crew captured.

Hope the information may help someone!

Cheers
Brian

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi

Loss record:

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=109979


Regards,
Andreas B

[George Hopp]

This was an Me 410 A-1/U1, ie. A standard A-1 bomber, with dive brakes and bomb release instruments, but with a photo pod identical to that of the A-3.

Was the unit still called the "Orlowski Gruppe" after Orlowski was killed in October?

[Brian]

Hi George

I extracted the details from 253 Squadron's ORB. The squadron was based at Monte Corvino at the time. Without seeing the interrogation report, one can only assume Orlowski Gruppe is how the prsioners identified themselves.

Cheers
Brian

[George Hopp]

Thanks for that, Brian.
All the best,
George

[Larry deZeng]

ORLOWSKI, Helmut. (DOB: 07.08.14). (R, DKG). 10.11.39 Oblt., trf from Aufkl.Gr. 10 to LKS Dresden. 05.41 Hptm., appt Staka Aufkl.St. 1.(F)/120 (to 11.42). 15.12.41 Hptm., awarded Ehrenpokal. 27.05.42 Hptm., awarded DKG, 1.(F)/Aufkl.Gr. 120. 15.02.43 Hptm., trf from Ob.d.L. pool to Fernaufkl.Gr. 122. 22.03.43 Hptm.., appt provisional Kdr. Aufkl.Gr. 122. 01.06.43 promo to Maj. 24.06.43 appt permanent Kdr. Aufkl.Gr. 122 (to 08.11.43). 19.09.43 Maj., awarded Ritterkreuz, Kdr. FAGr. 122. 08.11.43 MIA – in Ju 88 D-1 believed shot down by P-38s NE of Pescara/Italy.

[George Hopp]

Thank you, Larry, for the information on Maj. Orlowski's life and death. It does appear that the crew would have been Aufkl. Gr. 122 rather than Orlowski Gruppe.

For what it's worth, I checked 3 capture reports on this incident, and although all noted the A/c code, F6+OK, none mentioned any unit affiliation. Probably that was covered in the ADI (K) reports on the crew members.

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, George.

They did belong to the 'Orlowski' Gruppe... in the sense that their unit at the time was commanded by Major Orlowski. We have seen in numerous occasions that pilots referred to their unit based on nickname or unit commanders name - this was in their context not wrong (for example JG 2 pilots or even official letters or telegrams referring to their unit as Richthofen Geschwader).

So at the time Gruppe Orlowski = Fernaufklärungsgruppe 122.

This might of course be based on the fact that Major Orlowski was recently posted as missing, and that the unit 'took' his name as a way of honouring him. Being a recent Ritterkreuz recepient he would certainly be a prominent and as the officer in command a very important person in the unit.

Regards,
Andreas B

[Nick Beale]

Their Staffel was unquestionably 2.(F)/122. The "Gruppe Orlowski" tag was applied to the mixture of long-range reconnaissance Staffeln that he commanded. (As you all reach for your copies of "Air War Italy 1944-45" to check), at the time these were Stab FAG 122, Westa 26, 1.(F)/123 and 2.(F)/122.

In June 1944 Westa 26 was disbanded and replaced by 6.(F)/122 (a new Westa 26 was formed in the East). In July, 1.(F)/123 was withdrawn and disbanded (re-forming with the Ar 234 in Germany) and 4.(F)/122 was brought in from East Prussia. That was how it remained until April 1945.

[George Hopp]

Thank you, Andreas and Nick, for your interesting and informative comments.
All the best,
George