FW 190 loss 19/3/44

[stefaan]

Hi Guys.
A 1 sqdrn SAAF pilot Dave Hastie asked me to try and find some info for him.
He was in Spit AX T JF700 on a dingy search near Yugoslavia over ? Ortona when they diced with FW 190's. He shot down one which was confirmed by Canadians.The pilot baled ?safely.
He would like to know if anybody can tell him from which unit and who the pilot was.Also if anybody knows what happenend to the pilot ultimately.
Thanks

[Nick Beale]

Operations Record Book No. 7 (SAAF) Wing, Jan – Apr 1944

Appendix R: 19.3.44

“1600–1650 2 Spit VIII of 1 Sqd. (Lt. HASTIE) scrambled for interception to ORTONA, climbed to 16,000 and sighted 2 bandits—probably FW 190—closed in E/A went out to sea climbing to 27,000 ft several bursts, the last at 250 yds, saw a flash smoke flame coming from aircraft which went down almost vertically and was lost sight of near CHIETI. Leader went in after second aircraft and found his ammunition exhausted. No. 2 who was separated from Leader on take off saw 2 FW 190 over CHIETI at 16,000 flying inland, they climbed with No. 2 chasing but was unable to make contact as intense black and white A/A was coming up. This pilot reports that FW 190 carried very Long/Long Range Tanks. (MORU assess E/A as Damaged until advice from Army). [hand written in ink] CLAIM PROBABLE”

Fw 190s from I./JG 2 were in action that day but none is reported lost. The only loss I know of was the Bf 109 G-6 of Uffz. Helmut Kölbach of 4./JG 77.

Kölbach was hit shortly after claiming a Spitfire over Cassino and crash landed unhurt 50 km NE Cassino, behind German lines. He was shot down again on the 22nd and taken prisoner.

For the events of this day, see my website.

[stefaan]

Hi Nick.
Thanks for the info.
I'll relay it to him.
Dave has about the best logbook I have ever seen.Recorded all the a/c codes with full serial no.
I managed to get copies of the left side but he wrote all the stories on the right, so I will try to get hold of that.
Be good

[JohnE]

Hi Stefaan

Would it be possible to get a list of serial/code tie-ups from the logbook?

/John

[stefaan]

Hi John.
I'll get to it sometime.Busy with a deadline on my 15 Squadron book.
Contact me in about August.
Sorry for the delay