Night Fighter Lost Dec 31,1944

[richard.k]

A 427 Squadron Halifax was involved in 3 combats with a JU-88 in the Oslo area on a mining op. On the last combat, the aircraft was seen to go into the sea. Is there a corresponding lost in the area at between 20:00 to 21:00 hours?

Thanks in advance, Richard

[Kaczmarek]

Dear Richard,

according to the list of Tony Wood there is one claim listed for the night of 31st December 1944/1st January 1945:

Hptm. Eduard Schröder, 3./N.J.G. 3, Lancaster, 05 Ost N/EP-FP at 2.800 m, 21.00

Hope this helps.

Kaczmarek

[richard.k]

Hello Kaczmarek. Thanks for the info. That would probably account for one of the 2 losses on the gardening op, possibly the 83 Squadron Lancaster as one crew from 427 Squadron observed an aircraft burning on the water at 21:05 hours with a dinghy nearby. The crew from 427 Squadron were of the impression the JU-88 crashed into the water.
Regards, Richard

[Theo Boiten]

Hi Richard,

I've checked my files on NJ losses, but no luck on this one I'm afraid.. I must immediately add that there are many gaps in the Luftwaffe loss records (Verlustmeldungen) for 1944-45.

Do you perhaps have a serial number of the 427 Sqn Halifax?

Cheers, Theo

[richard.k]

Thanks, Theo. Will send a scan of the report.
Regards, Richard