He219 lost 24/25 September 1944

[Chris Goss]

I have a copy of the combat report which is definitely 24-25 December 1944. ORB supports this

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Dear all,

The war diary I./NJG 1 says for the night 24/25 September 1944: 'kein Einsatz, nur Fernjägertätigkeit' (no operations, only longe range nightfighter activity), no references to any accidents or losses. I checked Mark Huxtables extensive database of Mosquito-claims and can't find any claims for this night either.]

For the night of 25/26 September 1944 the entry is this: Lt. Schirmer and Gfr. Rosenberger crashed during the landing on Münster-Handorf A/F, 95%, cause unknown, both crewmembers were badly wounded. According to the Namentliche Verlustmeldung they had hit a tree. Again, I can't find any British claims in the vicinity of Münster-Handorf which can be linked to Schirmers crash.

I already wrote about the Mossie claim for the night of 24/25 December 1944 which perfectly matches with Fosters claim, although it did not result in a complete He219 loss. Thanks Chris for confirming this.

Best regards, Marcel

[keith A]

Excellent. Many thanks for your input, chaps.

[keith A]

I checked the 604 Squadron ORB. It does show that 604 Squadron was not in action on 24/25 September 1944. However the ORB also records that on 24/25 December 1944 Foster claimed an He219 destroyed.

For those that have a copy of AH I think a pencil amendment would be in order.

best regards

Keith

[Chris Goss]

...and that the claim should now be stepped down to damaged!

[keith A]

For those modellers among us I should state that Foster was flying the thimble-nose NFXIII for his first two Mosquito kills, and a Universal (Bull) nose Mosquito for his triple claim in January 1945.

Incidentally the ORB summary lists Foster as claiming a "probable" on 24/25 December 1944 but a pen-written note on the record of events upgrades this to "destroyed".

K

[keith A]

I suppose the "damaged" assessment could be relevant if we were reducing the claims of these gentlemen of the air to the demands of evidence but that would be a huge project... How "damaged" was the He219 might be interesting to know. Over to you Marcel

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Keith,

Unfortunately the amount of available sources with such details (damage % and/or Werkenummer etc.) rapidly sinks after September 1944. I have several material losses without any references to Werkenummer. The most regretted 'blank' is that the Allied Technical Intelligence Teams lost their appetite for documenting the Werkenummer of the hundreds of German aircraft stuffed on German airfields, among these 45 (!) He219's on Westerland airfield. Some Werkenummer are known from photo's, but this is a very small batch among the many left. Another 'Holy Grail' to discover...

Best regards, Marcel

[keith A]

Cheers, chum. I am amazed at the depth of knowledge, and the dedication of chaps like you.

my very best regards

Keith

[ErikTF]

Marcel,

Do you know what had happened to an HE219 with brown overcoat paint (possibly RLM 81), either W Nr. 190183, or 310183, supposedly lost near Hagenow/ Mecklenburg? Thanks.