Luftwaffe losses 24 July 1941

[keith A]

I am a great fan of Caldwells JG26 WD and so was surprised by his claims that there were no German losses on this date when another source

http://www.ww2.dk/misc/jg2loss.pdf

states I/JG2 lost at least five pilots to air combat and had another two wounded! Caldwell does his homework so this seems an anomaly.

regards

Keith

[Chris Goss]

The JG 2 losses were way to the west of France, away from where JG 26 was operating

[Szkieletor]

Hi,

I`ve found old post on RAF Commands Forum about Luftwaffe losses on 24 July 1941.
Here it is: http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/06360.php

Does anyone have some informations about Gefr Gerhard Ivry form "JagdFlSch 5" and circumstances of his death on that day?

Regards,

Wojciech

[keith A]

Thanks Wojciech, JG2 certainly took a hammering on this date. RAF claims of 14 kills were high but compared to several other combats in 1941 remarkably accurate.

regards

Keith

[phasselgren]

Bomber Command claimed 21 destroyed plus 7 probables during Operation Sunrise (daylight attack on Scharnost and Gneisenau) on this date. Overclaiming was high but when I checked the areas were these Luftwaffe fighters were lost it seems at least some were lost to bombers.

Regards,
Peter

[Adriano Baumgartner]

If memory does not fail me, Squadron Leader Rivaz, DFC (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...37-tail-gunner) flew on Operation Sunrise and claimed a Bf 109.

I read this book some 5 years ago, on loan from a friend of mine, so can not check at home. Maybe someone can confirm that later...

A fantastic reading by the way

Adriano

[keith A]

The addition of comber claims does reduce the impact of the FC claims, 35 claims reduces the comparison from 1 in 2, to 1 in 3 but maybe still a serious loss to the LW if we include the Bf109s that were seriously damaged.

Probably the last time the RAF had parity before the arrival of the Fw190 and of more Bf109F

regards

Keith

[Chris Goss]

Of interest, Sunrise cost the RAF 10 Wellingtons destroyed, 6 Wellingtons damaged, two Hampdens destroyed, one damaged, five Halifaxes destroyed and three damaged plus two Spitfires destroyed. Initial German claims were three Wellingtons and a Hampden to Flak at Brest, 3 Halifaxes at La Pallice. Fighters initially claimed 11 Wellingtons, 4 Hampdens and three Spitfires at Brest (as well as a Stirling which could have been a I./KG 40 Fw 200) and 11 Halifaxes at La Pallice. German losses were seven Bf 109s destroyed, four damaged. As you say, bombers were responsible for some-the four damaged and one of the destroyed for starters