Bodenplatte & II./JG 27

[DDT]

Hello,

Since it's now 70 years ago that the Luftwaffe launched his last big operation, I was reading J.Manrho / R.Pütz excellent book and more specific the operation over JG 27. I also linked to J.Priens book about II./JG 27. Here I read that 7./JG 27 lost 2 Me 109 and their pilots out of 3 that took off in Rheine at 8:30hrs.
It will be a long shot (oh I'm sure), but has someone the name / plane of this 3rd pilot? Perhaps from other books, letters, interviews....
Thx a lot for the trouble,

Dirk

[Brian Bines]

Looking at the 'K' report for Uffz. Johannes Hartlein the third pilot may have been an Uffz. Siegel. The report says following action on the 26th Dec. 7/JG27 was left with only two pilots, as late as 28th and 29th Dec three replacements including Hartlein were posted to the 7th.Staffel and that Uffz Siegel and Uffz Gisevius (KIA 1-1-45) were pilots in the staffel. Siegel is only a possibilty as 7/JG27 had possibily five pilots on 1st.Jan but only three serviceable 109 G-14s available according to the 'K' report.