Me-210 loss (?) - Antwerp X - Belgium - 30 or 31 Dec 1944

[Leendert]

From an Antwerp X (the AA belt around the city against Pilotless Aircraft) report:

"On the morning of 30 Dec '44 the first noteworthy incident in the recent increase in enemy air activity occurred. At 0410 an ME-210 circled the position of Btry B, 407th AAA gun Bn at an altitude of 1500 feet. The Btry fired and destroyed the target"

A further overview of activities of Antwerp X however puts the date on 31 Dec 1944 at 0410 hrs.
Map reference J-694774 is mentioned, which is a bit north of Mechelen, or Malines in WW II language.
B Btry, 407th AAA Gun Bn reportedly stationed near Berlaar at that time, several kms to the NE of above map reference.

I wonder if a match exists with known (Me-210) LW-losses on said date(s) in that area?

Thanks for info.

Regards,
Leendert

[James A Pratt III]

the plane was probably a Me-410 of a recon unit

[Nick Beale]

There's nothing in the Air Operational Watch reports from Bletchley Park that seems to fit the place and time. Also, I can't think of any Me 410 unit still active in the West — the last I know of, 1.(F)/121, had finished conversion to the Bf 109 by the end of October 1944 and became 1./NAGr. 1 from November.

[Leendert]

Thanks. Perhaps case of mistaken identity in winternight sky..?
Only LW-loss in general area of Mechelen/Malines on 31 Dec 1944 I found so far is Ju-88 Wnr. 620069 of 10./NJG 2 at Muizen.
I do not know crash time. Apparently had been in air combat over the Ardennes already before crash.

PS: Nick: an Me-210 was claimed by the AA Gun Bn, not an Me-410.

Regards,
Leendert

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Leendert

PS: Nick: an Me-210 was claimed by the AA Gun Bn, not an Me-410.

Regards,
Leendert

a) They could tell the difference?
b) The only Me 210s still in service by then were Hungarian, I think.

[Leendert]

If the AA Bn could tell the difference? It's just that they claimed a ME-210 to have observed and shot down... Therefore error in type recognition likely as no known LW-loss of ME-210 (or Me-410) types on 30/31 Dec 1944 in Belgium known, apparently.

Regards,
Leendert

[Brian Bines]

AD(I)K report 69/1945 shows Ju88 G-6 4R+DR returning from the Antwerp area was engaged by AA near the front approx. 0430 hrs on 31st December. With most of the instruments shot our the crew were ordered to bale out being taken prisoner with two injured . The pilot Hpt Alfred Kühn was shown as fate unknown with the aircraft believed to have come down behind German lines near Venlo . The Luft.Officers Careers site showed he returned to be lost in March 1945 .

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi,

Crashed Enemy Aircraft Report serial No.265 dated 29th January 1945 (AIR 40-45) mentions a Ju88G found near Mechelen (= Malines in French).

Best regards

Luc

[John Manrho]

That was Ju 88G-6, WNr. 620132 of 7./NJG 2. Hptm. Kühn probably bailed out over German territory. He was killed later on a mission on 3.4.1945.

WNr. 620069 was lost in the night of 31.12.44/1.1.45.

[Brian Bines]

AD(I)K 66/1945 Shows 4R+GU 620069 as crashing 2345 hrs on 31-12-1944 SE of Malines with only Ofw Herbert Loscher being identified all crew killed . The report indicates that an RAF night fighter likely shot the Junkers down .