12 Jan 1943 Stalingrad Bf 109s

[Larry deZeng]

The closing dates for the two airfields tend to support the story, but the absence of loss report entries is troubling.

Pitomnik (e. Pitomnik) (a.k.a. Stalingrad-Pitomnik) (c. 48 44 N – 44 12 E)
General: airstrip 21 km W of Stalingrad and adjacent to major rail and road connections; in German use by August 1942; greatly expanded during October and the first half of November 1942 to serve out the winter as one of 7 major air bases around Stalingrad. 16 Jan 43 ceased operations.


Gumrak (e. Gumrak) (a.k.a. Stalingrad-Gumrak) (48 46 N – 44 20 E)
General: airstrip in S Russia 13.5 km WNW of Stalingrad. Dec 42 used for the Stalingrad airlift. 22 Jan 43 ceased operations.

[James A Pratt III]

It looks like the book may have got it wrong.

[Don Pearson]

It is interesting to note that JG 3 blew up nearly a dozen Bf 109s on January 17 at Pitomnik.

Don

[rob van den nieuwendijk]

Hello James,

Relating to 5./JG 3 I have the following Me 109G's:
Date: Place: Type: Staffel W/nr Bruch: Cause:
43.01.17 Pitomnik Me 109G-2 5 13696 100% Gesprengt
43.01.17 Pitomnik Me 109G-2 5 13792 100% Gesprengt
43.01.17 Pitomnik Me 109G-2 5 14513 100% Gesprengt
43.01.17 Pitomnik Me 109G-2 5 13891 100% Gesprengt
43.01.17 Pitomnik Me 109G-2 5 14546 100% Gesprengt
43.01.17 Pitomnik Me 109G-2 5 14559 100% Gesprengt

Also see thread: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=18701

Best regards,
Rob