Claim by 7./JG 51 on 6 June 1944 or just a confused error?.

[Russell]

Hi everyone,

In the "victory claims files downloadable from the Budesarchiv, file RL-5-1456 p 0315 is part of the Ubersicht list for 7./JG 51. The following is an entry:
Nr Date Time Briefbuch No Ost West
589 6.06.44 10.20 1037/44 v. 12.11.44 W

with the GenSt 8 Abt order No 25/45.

The W indicates a western front claim. Given this is D Day, it might be an extraordinary claim. However, Ltn. Günther Stedtfeld of 4./JG 51 made a claim at his time on this date NW Sofia while a member of 4./JG 51 which is not confirmed in the ubersicht list for 4 Staffel. This list is entitled as being 7./JG 51 formerly 4./JG 51.. I assume therefore the powers that be attributed it to the new 7./JG 51 of II Gruppe formed in August/ September 1944 and the clerks in November 1944 put it in the old 7./JG 51 list by mistake and not the 4 staffel now renumbered 7 Staffel list, as it predates the formation of the new staffel.

Any one have any thoughts on this matter, or do you think the solution I have come up with is correct???

Regards

Russell

[Maciej Góralczyk]

Hi Russell,

The personnel of 7./JG 51 was transferred to the West at the beginning of June 1944 and attached to II./JG 1, eventually becoming 8./JG 1 since 15th August. However, the whole Gruppe was sent to France from Störmede on 6th June and started operations from Le Mans airfield on 7th June. Their first victory claim on the invasion front appears to be filled on 16th June (by Uffz. Günther Henschel).
I therefore see no better solution than what you came with.

Best regards.