Peter Düttmann and his "wonderful bird" Bf 109 G-10 WNr 610533

[Kari Lumppio]

Salut!

Yesterday finished reading Dütmman's book - the Finnish translation - "Itärintaman hävittäjäsotaa" (German orginal "Wir käpften in einsamen Höhen").

First about the book. The book is written by Falk Klinnert based on taped interview of Düttmann. Apparently the story was told in one session while paging through Düttman's flight logbook. I must say that the book is refreshing among all the books based on documents mainly - a real Story with capital S.

Düttman seems to have been technically oriented and gives many interesting details. Amongst them reason and solution(!) for the 30 mm (MK 108) cannon jamming problem. Of interest are also his remarks about the tactical etc. codes of his and other JG 52 pilots' planes.

And my question. Düttman tells that on March 7th, 1945 he received a Bf 109 (G-10) number "610533" - a "wonderful bird" as he describes it. According the book he flew the plane up to the end of the war. Another pilot took it to the collection point München-Neubiberg in May (9th?) 1945, though. Düttmann wanted to be with his girlfriend and future wife, Anni.

But. According data in (JaPo) book "Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-10/U4" WNr 610533 was lost (100%) March 8th, 1945 with Ofhr. Rudolf Plöderl from Stab/JG 76.

Which one is the true story? Does anyone know the tactical code of Düttman's last mount? Is there photo of it? Many of the JG 52 planes were photographed at Neubiberg so there is some hope of a photo.


All comments welcomed,
Kari

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Kari,

Sadly, this excellent pilot passed away in 2001. I can recommend you Bernd Barbas, the expert of the JG 52, I guess, he can comment this particular plane.
In his II./JG 52 book, Bernd Barbas mentioned the Bf 109 G-10/U4 WNr. 610533 as shot down by AA fire and as a 100% loss on 3 March, 1945 (so again a different information). Düttmann's Bf 109 G-10 "Schwarze 1" (his usual tactical code) is appears at Neubiberg in the II./JG 52 history book on the page of 222 (below photo - but the tail section with the WNr is not visible)

I guess, the best way to ask Bernd Barbas - if you don't have a personal contact with him, you can reach him via the www.jg52.de site's forum as well (he is not a registered member of the toch forum, according to my knowledge)

[Cpt_Farrel]

Looking at the picture of "Black 1" it seems reasonable that it at least had seen service for quite some time considering that it bore traces of the old markings - the yellow V and tailband - that was replaced during the spring of 1945 (I can never remember the exact time!). That doesn't prove much but it certainly is in line with Düttmanns recollections...

/Anders

[George Hopp]

Düttman seems to have been technically oriented and gives many interesting details. Amongst them reason and solution(!) for the 30 mm (MK 108) cannon jamming problem.

And, what were the solutions to the jamming problem of the MK 108? Apparently the early ones occasionally blew apart, with the breech block blowing backwards through the rear of the weapon. This was mentioned in a comment about the MK 108 by a night-fighter unit.

[Kari Lumppio]

Originally Posted by George Hopp

And, what were the solutions to the jamming problem of the MK 108? Apparently the early ones occasionally blew apart, with the breech block blowing backwards through the rear of the weapon. This was mentioned in a comment about the MK 108 by a night-fighter unit.

Hello!

Caveat - answering from memory now. Pulling G during shooting jammed the MK 108 feeding system. Düttmann pulled first some extra lead so that he could release stick somewhat and shoot with less G-force. No feeding problems and stoppages for him. Probably better aiming too.

Kari