Query: Ofw. Max Buchholz 1/JG3 2/9/40

[Bill Haldane]

Hi Everybody,
According to the OKL claims lists, Ofw. Buchholz claimed a Hurricane circa Maidstone but like 6 other pilots, didn't give a time for his kill.
Can anyone help to clarify this claim. Any help greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Bill

[Peter Cornwell]

Bill,

The combat took place at 18.10 hours (BST) south of either Maidstone, or possibly even Manston (the KTB entry is unclear), during which Lt Detlev ROHWER suffered radiator damage and was forced to ditch in the Channel. Oberfw BUCHHOLZ filed the only claim which was #97 for the Gruppe. On this evidence, P/O FERIC of No.303 Squadron who forced-landed damaged at Elvington would seem a likely candidate.

[Bill Haldane]

Many thanks Peter,
At least that rules him out and presumably if the other JG3 claims from OKL list with no times were on the same raid, them also.
This leaves Oblt. Buhl 1(J)LG2 and Uffz. Riedel 3(J)LG2 showing no times or places but from a confirmed claim at 14.25 showing that LG2 staffeln were in the right area, although they could have been on an evening raid. Also 3 pilots from 7/JG54 claimed at the right time. Trouble is, all 5 are claiming Spitfires and I'm looking for a Hurricane kill at 12.50.
Might I ask how you get such detailed info. on raids that I may try to rule these 5 either in or out for myself, rather than have to trouble someone else. I do appreciate your help but I feel it's a bit of an imposition.
Thanks again, Bill

[Peter Cornwell]

Bill,

Your earlier threads (2 & 7 April) seem to have got you no further forward in your search for whomever may have shot down Sgt DYMOND of No.111 Squadron & the approach you are adopting risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy. For example, there is no guarantee that he fell to German fighters, let alone Bf109Es, & IMO there is simply insufficient information available to arrive at any safe conclusion on the subject.

It would be quite wrong to assume that the other I./JG3 claims that day took place on the same mission; three were on an earlier bomber escort sortie during combat over south-east London (take-off 11.50 hours BST) when they reported an engagement with Spitfires, Hurricanes, and Moranes (sic). Lt Eberhard BOCK claimed one of the ficticious Moranes (confirmed) for his fifth victory, Oberfw Heinrich OSSWALD a Spitfire (unconfirmed), and Lt Gerhard SPRINGER another Spitfire (unconfirmed). One could, I suppose, propound that BOCK's 'Morane', not being a Spitfire, was in fact a Hurricane but that would be, at best, extremely speculative. And I'm afraid that there really is no short-cut to over 40 years study of the claims & losses of the period - I only wish there was.

PS: I notice that in my haste I mis-read the I./JG3 KTB and the claim by Oberfw Max BUCHHOLZ for a Hurricane was actually during a sortie timed between 16.55 - 18.10 hours (BST). My apologies, but this is still too late to have involved Sgt DYMOND.

[Bill Haldane]

Thank you again Peter, I am basing the fact that Sgt. Dymond was indeed shot down by a Bf 109, as that is what was reported to his wife by Sgt. Craig (111 Sqdn.), who was also on the interception, when as a friend he went to report the loss of her husband to her, later that day. Also in "B of B then and now" by Winston G. Ramsay he states ... Sgt. Dymond shot down in combat with Bf 109s. I can appreciate the need for accuracy and that is what I am looking for. I also appreciate that in comparison to someone like yourself, I have been doing this 5 minutes and as such must seem to be stabbing in the dark but this is only because I know of no other way. Hence I ask more knowledgeable researchers for any help they can give. I may in time realise that some questions may never be answered but not yet. So again thank you for all your help, Bill

[Peter Cornwell]

Well put, Bill. Don't hesitate to continue asking your questions. I wish you every success with your research.