German plane shot down over Italy

[Peter S]

I`m looking for any information about a plane (probably Ju88) shut down over Livorno and la Spezia area 21 July 1944 by S/Ldr. G.J.Cox from 92 ''East India'' Squadron. Do anyone know about a crew of the German plane and the unit this plane belonged to.
Regards

[veltro]

Extracted from "Air War Italy 1944-45" by N. Beale, F. D'Amico & G. Valentini:

"...21 JULY 1944

At 0830 Luftflotte 2 enquired of Fl. Div.2 whether a FAGr.122 aircraft with the Gruppenkommandeur aboard had landed in Southern France. The plane in question was a Ju 188D-2 of 4.(F)/122 (W.Nr.290183, F6+HM), missing from a mission to photograph La Maddelena, Sardinia. Piloted by Oblt. Fritz Mü�ller, it was also carrying Major Pannwitz, perhaps seeing for himself the difficulty of covering this tough target.

It appears that the Ju 188 was shot down by No.92 Sqn. The Spitfires of S/L Cox and Lt. Manne were on early patrol over Gorgona Island at 20,000 ft when they saw what they took to be a Ju 88 7,000 ft above them. Attacking from below they set its engines on fire and it crashed near Cervarezza (RE). None of those aboard got out, four of the five are still missing."

Hope this helps...

[Peter S]

Thanks,
Anyway as far as I know it was F/Lt Jan Preihs (Polish) flying with Cox 21st of July. Preihs was posted to the 92 Squadron from 318 (P) Sqn. I have got his log book on my desk now, and he confirmed this flight a few times. He also told me a few times that he saw wreackage and two bodies. Women bodies...this is the best part of this story.