2./NAGr. 13

[Xerumbe]

Hello,

Some FW 190s are involved in aerial combat over southern France in the spring and summer of 1944 (for example May 27, 1944, but other dates exist). There is no doubt that the provenance of some before June 4 is the JagdgruppeSüd, but do you think that the 2./NaGr 13 (Cuers) FW190 were fit for air combat despite the changes that made them reconnaissance fighters? ?

Is it possible that those seen by the allies and involved in actions may have belonged to other units?

To date, it has been impossible for me to find an air victory attributed to this unit during the period studied. Hence my question ...

Your help and your knowledge are welcome. Thank you.

JF

[edwest2]

The history of 2./NAGr. 13 is complicated. Perhaps the following will be of help.


https://www.asisbiz.com/Luftwaffe/nagr13.html

[Larry deZeng]

2./NAGr. 13
....................................
January – May 1944: continued reconnaissance over the Channel during the first part of the year, and then-in the spring transferred to Cuers/20 km north-north-east of Toulon in South France where it was located on 31 May. Flew tactical reconnaissance over Corsica, along the coast of South France, and over the interior in search of movement and hideouts of the French Resistance.
1 June 1944: at Cuers with 5 Fw 190 A-3, 4 Fw 190 A-4 and 3 Bf 109 G-6s on strength.
26 June 1944: reported 10 Bf 109 G-8s and Fw 190 A-3s on hand at Cuers under 2. Fliegerdivision.
18 August 1944: withdrew to Landsberg/Lech in South Germany to refit following the Allied invasion of South France on 15 August and then is believed to have moved to Freiburg to 30 September before transferring to Donaueschingen/50 km east of Freiburg in south-west Germany.
22 August 1944: Staffel apparently ordered to Caselle airfield in north-west Italy to rest and refit, and then reinforce elements of NAGr. 11 in the event the Allies in South France try to enter Italy through the “back door”. The order is believed to have been canceled before it could be carried out.
..................................

L.

[Nick Beale]

Which combats after 4 June were you thinking of, where Fw 190s were involved? I know of a few cases where aircraft of 2./NAG 13 were lost on reconnaissance missions but I guess you’re talking about defensive fighting over France.

[Xerumbe]

Exactly. Some 2./NaGr 13 aircraft are shot down over the Mediterranean while they are conducting reconnaissance. That's not my point.
I'm talking about the actions of the following days:

15/06/1944: SE of Arles near Tarascon. 12:10. Shot by Capt Robert W Spittler (71st FS / 1st FG) on P38
06/29/1944: Fw. 190 A-3 WNR 145656. 2./NaGr. 13. 5 km south of Nice. Obfw. Wilhelm Stockburger (missing). Beaten down. It's not obvious that this is a recce mission.
12/07/1944: Fw. 190. Wnr ... 692. Between Durance and Verdon. Driver injured or unharmed. Air combat against bombers targeting bridges in southern France. Landed in disaster. End of the mornng. 332th FG.
07/24/1944: Fw 190. NaGr. 13. No location. Oblt. Ludwig KLINK (KIA). Shot down.
15/08/1944: Fw 190. Between Le Muy and Draguignan. Fw. Katzer. Shot by a formation of 12 P47. Jump in parachute and be taken prisoner.
16/08/1944: Fw 190 F-8. Wnr 581300. 2./NaGr. 13. Montfavet. OFHR. Robert Heichele (injured). Damaged around 12:45 by Spitfire of 72 squadron R.A.F. during a reconnaissance mission on the Draguignan region. (W / O Woods) Arises in disaster on his ground. Died on 21/08/44 at Hopital de la Croix Rousse?
August 17, 1944 Fw 190 F-8 2./NaGr. 13 Between Avignon and Chateaurenard Damaged in aerial combat at 10:00 am by Capt. Hearell of the 111th T.R.S.

These missions are apparently air intercept fights.

2 things:
A- I have nothing about Bf 109 of 2./Nagr 13.
B- this unit does not get a victory?

I take the risk of thinking that this unit was used for air defense and that its structure and the nature of its equipment was not effective.

No doubt you can help me build a more structured thinking about it Thank you.

JF

[Nick Beale]

Ofhr. Robert Heichele was killed in the course of a reconnaissance mission to the Allied beach heads, flying with another 2./NAG 13 Fw and escorted by Bf 109s of JGr. 200. There's lots about this engagement on my website under Operation Dragoon and JGr. 200. I'll post again about the other dates you've mentioned.

2./NAGr. 13's Bf 109s were phased out in favour of Fw 190s during 1944 as part of a series of exchanges of aircraft within the Gruppe.

[Chris Goss]

The more experienced pilots from NAG 13 did make claims from 16 Feb 43 to 18 Nov 44 but I have nothing in the time you are quoting

[Nick Beale]

I was aware of Spitler's claim but I don't have a Fliegerdivision 2 daily report for 15 June.

I have details from ULTRA of the following:

06/29/1944: Fw. 190 A-3 W.Nr. 145656. 2./NAGr. 13. 5 km south of Nice. Obfw. Wilhelm Stockburger (missing). Beaten down. It's not obvious that this is a recce mission.
CX/MSS/T231/24
On 29th, 18 sorties by Fliegerdivision 2 comprising … 2 Fw 190 recce … 2 Fw 190 sea rescue search … Losses … 1 Fw 190 shot down. Some details:
… 2 Fw 190 from 1725 to 1825 hours [GMT] north of Corsica. At 1812 hours 1 Fw 190 shot down by Spitfires. 2 Fw 190 from 1900 to 1935 hours sea rescue search without success off Nice.
12/07/1944: Fw. 190. W.Nr. ... 692. Between Durance and Verdon. Driver injured or unharmed. Air combat against bombers targeting bridges in southern France. Landed in disaster. End of the mornng. 332th FG.
CX/MSS/T224/22
From Jafü South IC, stamped 1730/12/7, final day report of 12/7:
2 operations with a total of 32 Me 109 … Losses: 4 Me109 force landed …
CX/MSS/T231/24
Some Fliegerdivision 2 sorties on 12th: … 2 Fw 190 from 1830 to 1925 hours, recce between North West Corsica and Mainland. No mention of any loss or combat.
07/24/1944: Fw 190. NAGr. 13. No location. Oblt. Ludwig KLINK (KIA). Shot down.
CX/MSS/T255/131
On 24th [Jafü Süd] … 3scrambles with a total [of] 14 Me 109 … 2 Me 109 shot down (battle losses over own territory), 2 Me 109s severely damaged by bomb splinters, probably total losses … Other ops: 2 operations [with] 4 Me 109 (recce over guerilla territory). No losses.
CX/MSS/T256/21
Some Fliegerdiv. 2 sorties on 24th. 2 Fw 190 from 1745 to 1843 hours recce of sea area between Corsica and Toulon.
At 1830 hours attack from above and behind by 3 Spitfires in 4327, 0725 East [31 km South of Monaco], Rotte leader missing …
15/08/1944: Fw 190. Between Le Muy and Draguignan. Fw. Katzer. Shot by a formation of 12 P47. Jump in parachute and be taken prisoner.
CX/MSS/T279/61
Day activity report of 15/8: … 2 FARN ((Me 109)) and (smudge) DAHLIE ((Fw 190)) recce … Losses: (smudge) shot down. Pilot baled.
NOTE: Above seen by source in a file marked Fliegerdiv. 2.
CX/MSS/T279/61
(A) Total effort Fliegerdivision 2 on 15th … Details 2./NAG 13, 1 Fw 190 and 1 Me 109 from 0836 to 0945 hours, Gulf of Lions [Golfe du Lion] and West of Cap Creus …
16/08/1944: Fw 190 F-8. Wnr 581300. 2./NAGr. 13. Montfavet. OFHR. Robert Heichele (injured). Damaged around 12:45 by Spitfire of 72 squadron R.A.F. during a reconnaissance mission on the Draguignan region. (W / O Woods) Arises in disaster on his ground. Died on 21/08/44 at Hopital de la Croix Rousse?
CX/MSS/T279/61
… (C) Some sorties on 16th: 2./NAG 13 from 0500 to 0555 hours photo recce Draguignan – Le Mur abandoned owing weather … 2 Fw 190 same unit up from 0947 to 1113 hours phot recce Draguigan – St. Raphael – St. Tropez – Lavandou. 1 Fw 190 crashed on take-off.
1 Fw 190 … same unit convoy recce Toulon – Marseille to depth 60 kilometres from 1338 to 1425 hours.
CX/MSS/T280/28
… (C) Some other sorties on 16th … 2 Fw 190 of 2./NAG 13 from 0437 to 0535 P/R Hyères from 7000 metres …
(D) Total ops of Fliegerdivision 2 on 16th, 77 sorties including … 6 Fw 190 and 1 Me 109 P/R.
August 17, 1944: Fw 190 F-8 2./NAGr. 13 Between Avignon and Chateaurenard Damaged in aerial combat at 10:00 am by Capt. Hearell of the 111th T.R.S.
CX/MSS/T280/28
… Some sorties on 17th. One Fw 190 from 0739 to 0841 hours P/R Marseille – Toulon – Toulon – Ledu – Aix not interpretable.
(Hearell’s claim was on the ground at Avignon-East, not in the air).

[Xerumbe]

Thank you all for your response and especially to Nick for the details.

For 12/07/1944, the wreck of the Fw 190 is known since it was found in the 50s. The date is verified. A rapprochement of allied victories allowed me to attribute the victory to the 332th FG ... On this subject the only Fw 190 of the region are those of this unit hence my statement. It is therefore a personal hypothesis.

I will continue my work, thanks to you.

JF