Messerschmitt 110 loss - May 1940, Sercus, France

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Evgeny,

As I was composing an answer to you about your question about the Bf 110 C-6, after some time it was neccessary to log in and my long answer was gone...

In my Bf 110 database I did store ALL Bf 110's (ZG's / NJG's / Aufkl. units / flying schools, transfer units etc.) I have found so far in the detailed Gen.Qm.Luftwaffe Abt.6 loss records, known production blocks, (reasonably trustful) publications, Flugbücher from Messerschmitt factory pilots etc. etc.

I will try again to present a reconstruction of these alleged 12 Bf110 C-6's:

It seems that the Gothaer Waggon Fabrik (GWF) produced 2 batches of 6 Bf110C-6's:
2148 (KD+TR) : fate unknown
2149 (KD+TS) : fate unknown
2150 (KD+TT) : fate unknown
2151 (KD+TU) : fate unknown
2152 (KD+TV) : 5./SKG 210, 100% on 16.12.1941 (Lw.losses Reel 4)
2153 (KD+TW): 8./ZG 26, 100% on 8.12.1941 (Lw.losses Reel 4)
---------------
2249 (NJ+ZW): 6./ZG 1, 100% on 27.2.1942 (Lw.losses Reel 5)
2250 (NJ+ZX) : Erg.Zerst.Gr. 90% on 10.2.1943 (Lw.losses Reel 8)
2251 (NJ+ZY) : 7./ZG 26, 85% on 28.3.1942 (Lw.losses Reel 5)
(2251 is also reported as a 100% loss with the St.G.77 on the 11.11.1942 but this Bf110 is reported as a D-subtype, therefore the Werkenummer might be wrong)
2252 (NJ+ZZ) : III./ZG 26, 40% damaged on 4.6.1942 (Lw.losses Reel 6)
2253 (BR+PA) : fate unknown
2254 (BR+PB) : 4./SKG 210, 100% on 18.10.1941 (Lw.losses Reel 4)
(2254 is reported in Reel 4 as a Bf110 E-6 but this subtype was never built, it is likely that it should have been noted as a C-6)

As the 1./Erpr.Gr.210 had 3 losses in August 1940 (2 on 11.8.1940 and 1 on 15.8.1940), it is likely that these losses had the Werkenummer of the first batch of six Bf110 C-6's.

Rather unnoticed by most airwar historians, is that my 'I./NJG 1' had 2 Bf110 C-6's on their inventory between (at least) March 1942 up into July 1943 ! After July 1943 these C-6's were transferred to another unit.

Conclusion: assumed that the above entries are correct, we are close to define what became of these 12 Bf110 C-6s during WW-2 and would welcome your thoughts/corrections/additional info !

All the best, Marcel Hogenhuis
www.fliegerhorst-venlo.net

[John Vasco]

Originally Posted by Marcel Hogenhuis

As the 1./Erpr.Gr.210 had 3 losses in August 1940 (2 on 11.8.1940 and 1 on 15.8.1940), it is likely that these losses had the Werkenummer of the first batch of six Bf110 C-6's.

Marcel,

Not necessarily so. Please note the following also:

29/7/40 Bf 110 C-6 2N+RH Returned to base damaged following combat.
Lt. Erich Beudel (P) & Ogefr Heinrich Diemer (Bf).

30/7/40 Bf 110 C-6 Shot down into the North Sea by Allard and Hamilton of 85 Sqdn.
Lt. Hans Herold (P) & Ogefr. Lotar Lilienthal (Bf).

So, if you add these two to the three in August, and also the two from 5./SKG 210 and 8./ZG 26, you will see that it makes more than 6.

Erich Beudel's flugbuch records that he flew the following Bf 110s with 1./Erpr. Gr. 210 in July 1940: 'G', 'N', 'O', 'P', 'R', 'S', & 'T'. All C-6s. I therefore believe they had on charge more than 6 in July 1940.

I also believe the Bf 110 C-6s shown on charge with other units later in the war (apart from SKG 210 & ZG 1) were damaged machines of Erpr. Gr. 210 that went through the usual repair facility and were re-issued to other units. According to Petrick/Mankau, all 12 C-6s were built and issued by July 1940.

Hope this helps.

John V.