Halifax JP247 shot down over Yugoslavia

[chrisjay]

Hello from a 'newbie'

I have just discovered the site, scoured it with great interest and wondered if some one might connect with my line of research.

My Uncle, 125855 Flight Lieutenant George Raymond Wood (148 Squadron) was killed when the Halifax JP247 aircraft he was piloting was shot down on the night of 3-4 .7.1944 over SOMBOR, province of Vojvodina, Serbia, Yugoslavia. The map ref. given by the RAF in 1947 was 3435, sheet 35 Yugoslavia 1/100.000, when the MRES were investigating the crash. I have obtained a copy of this map and the crash site appears to be approx. 0.5km to the northeast of the main crossroads in the town on the road to Obziri.
There were three Halifax's shot down in this area at around this time. They were JP247 (above), JP179 and JP292.

A contact, Aiden, has sent me details of Luftwaffe activity on that night and I am trying to tie in the aircraft and pilot involved. The details are as follows:

Night: 3-4. July 1944

JaFü 8. Jagddivision/Lfl. Reich:

Date Name Unit Type Location Time
03.07.44 Oblt. Josef Krause 6./NJG 101 Halifax £ 14 Ost N/NT-76 at 2.600 m. [Sombor] 22.26
03.07.44 Oblt. Josef Krause 6./NJG 101 Halifax £ 14 Ost N/NT 36 at 3.500 m. [Sombor] 22.52
04.07.44 Hptm. Leopold Fellerer Stab III./NJG 6 Halifax £ 10 km. N.E. Kaposvár: 1.700 m. 01.50 *
04.07.44 Ltn. Baik Poss: NJG 101 Halifax £ 14 Ost N OT-45 at 1.700 m. [Sombor] 02.15
Supplemental Claims from Sources : NJG 6

The Third listing ( * ) is a probably a non-starter as this appears to be over Hungary.
I have more information on the crews etc. if this would be of any help.
I would appreciate any help or advice on the way forward.
Regards
Chris

[Franek Grabowski]

Chris
Your Uncle's Halifax FS-E as well as FS-W were lost on the way to target, while FS-P was lost on the way back. Crew of W/O Pogson reported that they have seen a 4 engined aircraft being downed by Flak near Vukovar - it was believed at the time it was the aircraft of your Uncle.
I am afraid that available informations do not allow to make any definite conclusions but it seems possible that your Uncle's Halifax was downed by Krause, who then downed JP292 FS-W. Not knowing, where exactly JP179 FS-P crashed, and what were remaining losses of the night, I would not risk conclusion in regard of responsible German pilot.
By the way, do you have any related photos?
Best wishes

[chrisjay]

Franek.
Thanks for your thoughts. It looks like a bit more research is needed. I have a photo of my Uncle in uniform and I will email if you wish, but that is all I have.
Regards
Chris

[Peter Zambori]

chris,

according to a Hungarian police report dated July 04, 1944 your uncle's plane - misidentified as I.P. 247 - was downed in flames at 22:32 near to Obzirszállás (today Obziri - Vojvodina/Serbia). This report also contains it was shot down by a german nightfighter. The closest claims are Oblt. Krause's victories at 22:26 and 22:52. This latter does match with Halifax JP292 / FS-W crash time at 23:00 in the area of Pacsér (today Pačir).

According to Hungarian gendarmerie reports Halifax JP197 / FS-P crashed at 02:15 near to Szond (today Sonta) also in this region.

Best regards
Péter

[chrisjay]

Peter,
Thankyou for your information. Was this part of Serbia under Hungarian control in this period?
Regards,
Chris

[Peter Zambori]

Chris,this was part of Hungary between April 1941 and 1945 (and before 1919), with Hungarian citizenship, authirities etc. This is the explanation for these crashes were reported by the Hungarian police and gendarmerie units in this area.best regardsPéter

[Franek Grabowski]

Chris
Yes, please, it will beappreciated. I have dropped a PM to you with my email address.
Thanks

[Aidan]

Hi Péter,

Do the police reports say any more about the crashes on 3-4 July 1944? Do they include photos?

In addition, is there a police report for the loss of JP286? Piloted by S/L Bird, this Halifax – also from No. 148 Squadron - is probably the one that crashed near Kaposvár, Hungary on the same night.

Best wishes,

Aidan

[Peter Zambori]

Dear Aidan,

I received your Private Message. I'm busy now, but I will check my copies for further details about the six 148Sq. losses (JD172, JP179, JP286, JP247, JP292, BB422) over Hungarian territory. (2 for today Hungary)

I have no police report for JP286, but it certainly crashed near to Mezőcsokonya. (It's pilot was identified - as Philp Victor - after the crash, while the other seven airman were buried in common grave as unidentified on July 5, 1944)

My copies are mainly the daily events summaries from the police communication center at Budapest reported by phone. I can say in the last 16years there were no a single published photo noted as from police reports. The RKI (Flying research Institute) surely done examinations and photos on british and american planes crashed in Hungary until Autumn 1944, but It was lost.

I will send you a detailed mail next week.

Best wishes,
Peter

[Aidan]

Dear Peter,

Thanks for that. I really look forward to hearing from you when your time allows.

Best wishes,

Aidan