Ju 88 C or A loss night 18 to 19 July 1944

[Roger Gaemperle]

Hello,

On 19 July 1944, around 0330 hrs a Ju 88 crashed in Switzerland. The crew has apparently left the plane before (not over Swiss territory) as no human remains could be found.

I have visited the crash site several times and found parts of a Jumo 211 and Ju 88 parts (R8-88.... part numbers). The aicraft had a grey mottle camouflage (I recovered part of its wing). One part of the fuselage had a white letter on it but only part of it was visible. It war a rounded stripe, approx 2-3 inch wide and most likely was part of the unit code.

I assumed in 1998 that it probably was a Ju 88 C-6 nightfighter but could never proof it.

Since then internet made the exchange of information much more easy and I thought it's time to ask the community whether somebody has a loss report of a Ju 88 C-6 in the night from the 18 to the 19 July 1944.

Thanks,
Roger

[edNorth]

Hi Roger,

Are you shure it was Ju 88 C-6 (Jumo 211), not Jumo 213 ? (Ju 88 G-6). Otherwise I have no losses for C-6 or G-6 that date, just one G-1 ´eng failures, and burned 3,5 km south-east of Hailfingen, Wittgestein 19.07.1944´.

cheers
ed

[Roger Gaemperle]

Hi Ed,

Yes, I have found a part of the engine with a 211-... code. I also have some photos from Swiss locals who recovered parts of the wreck including the tires and the tail with the tail wheel doors visible. It had a very dark (I would guess it was black) color on its tail. There are photos of one of its engines and propeller hubs. I have to check and compare with todays photos of Jumo 211 and 213 but I am sure the outcome will be 211.

In 1998 I asked for help via a German magazine (my article appeared in Flugzeug 4/1998) but was told at that time that most of the loss lists for July 1944 were lost. So I have never asked again but I thought that in the meantime perhaps a lot more has been found out and that finally the mistery could be solved.

Cheers,
Roger