Claims for two Fw 190s destroyed 17 May 1943

[Roundway]

The Summary of Events/Record of Events for 331 Squadron record the action as taking place on the 17th while the squadron was providing cover for Fortress bombers. Morlaix is approximately 95 miles/150 km southwest of the action. Chris, at #4, describes the Bf 109 losses as being north of Morlaix.

Brian

[Chris Goss]

German records for 17th make mention of B-17s. Bit of a puzzle what they thought they shot down on 16 May as 8./JG 2 had one loss while the 263 Sqn claims were 2 x Fw 190s from NAGr 13 (which were undamaged). I believe that Lt Wilhelm Godt of 8./JG 2 damaged a 412 Sqn Spitfire on 16th

[Charles Bavarois]

II./JG 2 lost four Bf 109s that day. One was without enemy contact. The other three were lost when trying to combat an enemy bomber incursion. Description in WASt will be helpfull:

Uffz Werner Grunding, 5th/JG 2, WIA
Startetd 17.5.43 to defend against an enemy bomber formation
Crashed near Croissenville (sic)

Lt. Günther Krus, 5./JG 2, KIA
Started 17.5.43 to defend against an enemy bomber formation
Fw Bosseckert observed impact on sea 100 km N Morlaix

Lt. and Staffelführer Lothar Werner, 5./JG 2, KIA
Started on 17.5.43 to defend against an enemy bomber formation.
Crash 100 km N Morlaix. No further observations.

Carl

[Roundway]

Much obliged Carl, that amplifies Chris's #4 nicely. Do you know which airfield 5th/JG 2 was flying from that day? I've attempted to work it out myself from various online sources but have had to admit defeat.

Brian

[Roundway]

Slight problem with Lt. Günther Krus as his records appear incomplete:

1. Unless I'm doing something wrong he does not appear to be listed by the Aircrew Remembered website. https://aircrewremembered.com/Kracke...rch_type=fuzzy

2. There is a brief entry for him in the Luftwaffe Officer Career Summaries, but that does not provide a date for his death (https://www.ww2.dk/Lw%20Offz%20-%20G-K%20Apr%202023.pdf)

Lt. and Staffelführer Lothar Werner, 5./JG 2 is recorded on both websites.

Brian

[Chris Goss]

Kruss (and being a Lt the career summary rarely gores to that rank) and 5 St5affel was Beaumont Le Roger but could have been forward based

[Roundway]

As ever my thanks, Chris.

Brian

[Charles Bavarois]

NVM reports the name of this Flugzeugführer and also of his father like "Krus". Above the pilots name is a small handwritten "Krauß" (not "Kruss"), a very common German name. Prien and all. use "Krauß" in their losslists.

[Roundway]

Many thanks, Carl, that worked beautifully. I did not imagine when I wrote the first post of this thread how much information I would gather, thank you everyone who has helped, I am very grateful.

Brian

[John Manrho]

I have him as Krauß too

Lt. Günther Krauß, geb. 08.11.1919, MIA 17.5.43
Lt. Lothar Werner, geb. 03.07.1921, MIA 17.5.43

Both were never recovered as far as I know.