Nachtjagd [IV./NJG 5] losses in West of France – Spring of 1943

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour,

Several losses (below) connected with Nachtjagdgeschwader 5 (NJG 5) during spring of 1943 raises questions to me. Do you know why we have these losses so far in the West? I wondered if some planes of the fourth Gruppe (perhaps simply a Staffel?) had not been sent there a short time for training purpose. What your thoughts are about that?

Best regards,
Frederic

13-14 March 1943
10./NJG 5
Ju 88 C6 Werk-Nr.360114
50kms Nördlich Morlaix, über See

19 May 1943
10./NJG 5
Ju 88 C2 Werk-Nr.880764
1km Nördöstlich Nouvoison (perhaps most likely Nouvoitou), bei Flugplatz Rennes

4 June 1943
10./NJG 5
Ju 88 C6 Werk-Nr.420
Bei Lannion

21 June 1943
IV./NJG 5 Bf 110 F4 Werk-Nr.4779
Flugplatz Nantes

Source : Michael Balss books

[SES]

Hi Henofred,
Understand your confusion, please see:
http://www.ww2.dk/air/njagd/njg5.htm
I suspect that Michael Balss misidentified the unit.
bregds
SES

[ju55dk]

At least 19 may is correct. Crew buried at Rennes.
Beware that so called Kommando'es containing 1 to 4 aircraft were often deployed to other places than the "mother" Staffel. Transfer lasted from 1 day up to several weeks!

Junker

[udf_00]

http://www.absa3945.com/airfield/pertesluftwaffe.html
search for 19/05/1943

Claimed in the area :
http://www.cieldegloire.fr/njg_005.php#victoires1943
20.06.43 Oblt. Gollasch 11./NJG 5 Lancaster £ W. Angers: 2.800 m. 02.01 Film C. 2027/I Anerk: Nr. -

[SES]

Hi,
Is 1943 the correct year? According to BAMA RL 8-84 by 1 April 1943 there were no operational Germen GCI sites west of Metz.
bregds
SES

[Henofred]

Hello,

Thank you gents for your answers. All dates are correct, we are well in 1943 and it is quite surprising to see several losses in Brittany for a Staffel (...according to ww2.dk website) that is supposed to be active at that time in other places. But facts are there and an aircrew belonging to this 10./NJG 5 was buried at Rennes during this period. So, what were they doing in the West?

Best regards,
Frédéric

[RT]

Protecting some places from night intrusion, let see the possible claim for that period ...

Rémi

[SES]

Hi RT,
The chance of a nightfighter finding anything at night without help of searchlights or radar ground control is less than a snowball surviving in hell.
bregds
SES

[RT]

Do they hv all thOse things in east ?? In Rumania ??

On 16.mai 43 they hv 3 casualties at FP Morlaix "Bodenpersonal"

Rémi

[retje]

Also an Obegfr. of the IV./N.J.G.5 became ill and was treated in Hospital at Rennes from 19.5-23.05.1943.

Gr, René