Luftwaffe Losses 21 Jan 44

[Chris Goss]

There has in the past been some discussion as to who Flt Lt G E Cassie/Fg Off J A Inglis of 198 Sqn & Sqn Ldr P W Le Fevre on the above date-hopefully this will clarify things. It was not JG 2 for a start but Oblt Fritz Heber (Bf 109 coded NP+GX, Wk Nr 410257) and Ofhr Franz Gregoritsch (Bf 109 20680 SL+DN) of 1/NAG 13. Both crashed near Morlaix (Typhoon pilots said Lannion). The other 3 Germans killed that day were from Erg/SKG 10-Uffz Karl Alois Lehner & Gefr Kurt Schuemann crashed in an accident near Le Mans (no ac details) whilst Uffz Franz Schwarz (FW 190 G-1, 45835) was killed in a landing accident

[brewerjerry]

Hi Chris,
Many thanks for the reply, unit was 193Sq not 198 tho', through the kind assistance of some board contacts, i managed to find the unit , I can't find out what mission they were on tho'.
Working on W/C Baker claims now, not easy...
Many thanks again
Cheers
Jerry

[Chris Goss]

193/198 was a typo! Glad it helps

[brewerjerry]

Hi Chris,
Recently found some cash to buy your book luftwaffe fighter bombers, Excellent , I am most enjoying it, Slowly working my way thro'
recommend it to anyone.
Any chance of you doing a decent book on dornier 17 /215 / 217, It is about time we had one from someone...
Cheers
Jerry

[Chris Goss]

Funny you should say that but one on the Do 17 is in preparation by me for 'Red Kite'

[brewerjerry]

Hi Chris,
Any idea of a publication date , Can I put it on my christmas list.
Cheers
Jerry

[Chris Goss]

Jerry-first of all I should have said thanks for your kind comments. It will be out by the middle of this year, just about the Do 17 with plenty of photos-like their previous books on the Lancaster, Hampden etc. Trouble is the Do 17 was not 'sexy', especially as it was near enough obsolete by mid-41 and the introduction of the Do 217

[Franek Grabowski]

By the way, any comments concerning Me 210 claimed damaged by 306 Sqn that day?

[Chris Goss]

Afraid not-my interest was sorting out the 2 claims to the west; sadly, if it was a damaged, there will be no record of this unless there were casualties

[Franek Grabowski]

Chris
I am awared of all the problems but I will be quite happy having even a likely unit. I was even wondering about friendly fire or just another German type spotted by coincidence and not involved into interception.
Here is narrative from PCR.

GENERAL.
11 a/c 306 and 11 a/c 315 Polish Squadrons up Heston 1145 to act as close escort to 54 Marauders bombing XI/A/68 - 100 - 112. Rendezvous at Hastings 12,000 feet. South of target over HUCQUELIERS a Me 210 was seen by F/Lt. DRYBANSKI, 306 Squadron, leader of a section of 4 a/c, the Me210 was flying below our bombers in a South-Easterly direction. The section dived after it from 14,000 feet, F/Lt.Drybanski opened fire at 8,000 feet from astern. range 800 yards, cannon and m.g. used for first 3 bursts, in third burst Cannon strikes seen on starboard wing cannon, then jammed and fire was continued with MG, only. Tracers from last burst were seen to enter all round cockpit, ammunition exhausted when at 3,000 feet range about 600 yards. Camouflage of Me210 black and exhaust flame baffles seen to be used. This enemy aircraft claimed as damaged. One other pilot of this section also fired but makes no claim. Some 12 FW 190’s were seen in the target area but no engagements took place.

Wing landed Heston 1330 hours.