Ju 88 Landing Accident 29 Apr 43

[Chris Goss]

Can anyone confirm that a 4/KG 51 Ju 88 suffered a landing accident in Russia on this date?

[edNorth]

Hi Chris:

This is the only KG 51 machine found on that particular date.

3616 Ju 88 A-4 III/KG 51 (Luftflotte 4 East)
OPS (F) engine failure (20%) at Bagerowo 29.04.1943

No personell injuries listed.

cheers
ed

[Jim P.]

The data I have agrees with Ed's. There was another III./KG 51 that suffered a Bruchlandung at the same location on the previous day, but no II./KG 51 machines reported.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks gents. This came from a 4/KG 51 pilot who said it was 9K+AM, incident occurred 29 Apr 43 and the crew were Fw Robert Ciuraj, Lt Bernhard Sartor, Uffz Albert Mittelmann & Fw Ossenschmidt. Perhaps they got the II & III mixed up? Ac is lying on its port wing

[edNorth]

...huummm.. seems the Ju 88 A landed at Berka (in other thread) was also of III/KG 51 and same pilot.... Stated 9K+CM of II/KG 51 - Is this then an case of pilot having the stafffel code letter wrong? Why?

Added:
Was III Gruppen using M,N,P but II Gruppen R,S,T (cause of re-numbering or reforming from He 111 had not been completed?)

[Chris Goss]

He was definitely 4 Staffel-he was with 4/KG 51 when he was awarded the DKiG. However, it is a puzzle!

[edNorth]

Well, maybe all not that puzzling. Browsing through all the reported losses of III/KG 51 (and other units as well), it seems sometimes the Staffeln codes reported were not entierly fitting ´the correct´ Staffeln/Gruppen. I tend to think when the planes ´travelled´ between groups (or borrowed), then often keeping old codes etc. untill returned or lost. Also perhaps one was planned for one particular Staffeln, but then ending up with another... giving the same results.

I makes detailed research so ... interesting.