Major Johannes Steinhoff

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

On 5 April 1943, Major Johannes Steinhoff (176 victories, RK-S), Geschwaderkommodore of JG 77, was shot down by RAF Spitfire fighters. Would anybody have any details on this fighter other than it was a Bf 109 G-6? For what I have read this was the only occasion among the 12 times that he was shot down in which he had to bale out although other sources state that he crash-landed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Horrido!

Leo

[RT]

16492 forced landing
or
16512 belly landing

Where it takes place ??

[Leo Etgen]

Hello RT

Thanks for your reply to my question. Too bad it seems as if there is no specific loss list entry for his fighter on this occasion. I must admit that I have no idea where the location was over which he was shot down. In an old Airpower magazine that I have there is the following quote attributed to him concerning this incident: "I acquired a lot of bad habits in Russia. Later, in Africa, you couldn't get away with that sort of thing and the RAF promptly shot me down." Many thanks for your help and at least it appears that he may have not baled out on this occasion.

Horrido!

Leo

[John Beaman]

Location is given as westlich La Fauconnerie

[kaki3152]

The crash is clearly documented in Prien "JG-77 Vol. 2"

"Maj Johannes Steinhoff Luftkampf Spitfire, Bf-109G-6
Stab /JG-77 Bauchlandung bei
La Fauconnerie,100%,Werke N. 16492,unverletzt"

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Kaki

Many thanks for confirming which werknummer it was. Your, as well as everyone else's information, was very useful and filled in this gap that I had in my information about this great Luftwaffe leader. My heartfelt thanks to you, John and RT for your help and taking the time to answer my question.

Horrido!

Leo

[Franek Grabowski]

What is the information based on? Did anybody check it with Steinhoff's log book? Is there no mention of the incident in his book?

[RT]

The question of Franek seems a bit iconoclast, to contest the books from M.Prien, but as a curiousity, if M.Prien could answer to the question, I mean we hv two very similar incidents involving the same unit, no casualties so no NVM, same area , two aircrafts why one nd not the other ??

Remi

[John Beaman]

Franek and RT:

Try Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #10)-Vol.17. Recall, this is 1943, so these records are available.

[RT]

My informations come from this document, in this doc. the only thing differing from the 16492 nd 16512 is the place La Fauconnerie for one X for the other, so I wonder why to choose one as the Steinhoff mount nd the other not, curious to know if some others docs exist to state that

remi