Luftwaffe Ju 52 captured in Africa and flown to South Africa

[Gerhard]

Hello,

in 1943 many Luftwaffe Ju 52s were left behind in North Africa, ca. 12 of which were flown to South Africa and operated there by the SAAF with serials in the range 20 to 39. 'War Prizes' by Phil Butler has very sketchy information about these aircraft (Werknummern, Stammkennzeichen, etc. are missing). Does anybody know more?

Please note: this question is NOT about the civil SAA aircraft which were impressed into the SAAF.

Thanks
Gerhard

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
OK so the SAA a/c were serial numbers -660 to 670 .
Ex Luftwaffe a/c numbered "26" was W/O nearvBulawayo on 16 - 10 - 1943.
Ref is " 85 Years of SAAF".
Or you could try this site ?

http://www.geocities.ws/hjunkers/ju_ju52_p1.htm

Alex

[edNorth]

Alex, that website - on the scale of serious Luftwaffe research it should be on the shelf next to the dustbin - and fall off into it. Seriously. Some German researches will likely turn over in their graves.
Gerhard is asking on these SAAF (captured ex-Luftwaffe in North-Africa):

.... Ju 52/3m - SAAF 26 "Tobruk" - Crashed at Sauerdale, South Rodesia 15.10.1943
.... Ju 52/3m - SAAF 27 "Gepp Geschwind" - Arrived in South Africa 25.04.1943
.... Ju 52/3m - SAAF 29 "Sidi Haneish" - Almaza enr South Africa 20.05.1943 - South African War Museum - Scrapped 1954
.... Ju 52/3m - SAAF 30 "Kelibia" - Left Almaza 13.07.1943 for South-Africa.
.... Ju 52/3m - SAAF 31 "Bizerta" - Left Almaza 23.07.1943 for South-Africa.
.... Ju 52/3m - SAAF 32 "Sidi Daoud" - Left Almaza 26.08.1943 for South-Africa.
.... Ju 52/3m - SAAF 33 "Mentzel Termini" Left Almaza 30.08.1943 for South-Africa.
.... Ju 52/3m - SAAF 34 "Cap Bon" - Left Almaza 27.08.1943 for South-Africa.
.... Ju 52/3m - SAAF 35 "Tripoli Trix" - Arrived in South Africa 08.10.1943
.... Ju 52/3m - SAAF 36 "El Haouiena" - Left Almaza 21.07.1943 for South Africa.
.... Ju 52/3m - SAAF 37 "Algiers" - Left Almaza 09.01.1944 for South-Africa.
.... Ju 52/3m CQ+HH Luftwaffe - SAAF 38 "La Sebala" - Sold as scrap 26.10.1946

(Butler "Warprizes")

this above is from long time ago and has not been verified


-Ed

[Tom Willis]

Hi Ed - This info is given in Phil Butler's War Prizes, so most Lw researchers know that his research is generally sound.
The only thing that I can add is the W/Nr for this is 5989. I have a note saying that this was captured late 1944 at Foggia by the RAF. But another note saying at was 05.45 at Klegenfurt a/f. Miles apart in time and place!!
Can anybody confirm this or add any new details as the date and other possible locations?

[Tom Willis]

Hi Ed - Sorry I should have note this info was for the Ju52/3m with the Stkz - CQ+HH

Cheers

[Tony Jones]

Hi Tom

I looked up the Klagenfurt airfield survey report yesterday and Ju 52 5989 was found there 5/45 but its stkz was CQ+HA, so the one found in Africa was CQ+HH c/n not known, unless Peter Achs knows more

Regards

Tony

[edNorth]

Originally Posted by Tom Willis

This info is given in Phil Butler's War Prizes, so most Lw researchers know that his research is generally sound.

Tom. Agree, its generally good. Apologies, references were with text (in "unknown machines") but did not copy. Added in plain text now.
- Unless the plane was not flyable or not mentioned. I have found (and partly more) Ju 88s (damaged) were shipped to the USA, two are traced by code and W.Nr.s and some dates/fates traced.
One of them was sent over quite a long period before official US entry in the war.

Tony, Achs might not stir in his grave. Sadly he flipped in private mail
and likely has ... left the building.

-Ed

[Tony Jones]

Hi

Peter Achs has been very helpful in the past but I respect the fact that sometimes he wants to keep his data private

Tony

[edNorth]

It is not about data, but claims made and remarks. Anyone is full in right for his or hers data to himself, finders keepers I guess.

[Gerhard]

Many thanks to all who responded.

Unfortunately, no WNrs seem to be known (except 5989).

Gerhard