Loss in South France, July 22nd 1944.

[Henofred]

Hello,

I am looking for details on the loss of a twin engines bomber (Ju-88?) which occured on July 22nd 1944. The bomber crashed near Saint-Martin-de-Boubaux, about 10 miles W-NW of Ales, France and probably collided with the summit of a mountain of the area. On the basis of German Units present in South France at the time, I think this bomber could belong to the KG 26 or KG 100. As I stuck with this research, any answer/suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

All the best,
Frederic

[mjbollinger]

Hello Frederic,

I cannot answer your question but perhaps can provide some information on two units of KG 100: II./KG 100 and III./KG 100. By 22 July 1944 there were few aircraft of these units left in France, and those that survived were based in Toulouse. The only mission at that time was a raid on Brest in which two aircraft of .9/KG 100 were shot down, though of course this was far from your crash site. There are suggestions that another aircraft aborted on this mission but even if this could be your aircraft it is hard to explain why it was so far from the Toulouse-Brest route. Bottom line: it is doubtful that a Do 217 from II./KG 100 or III./KG 100 is your aircraft.

MB

[Henofred]

Hello MB,

Thanks a lot for your check on these Units.

Best regards,
Frederic

[Nick Beale]

I don't have an answer for you right away about this loss but the twin-engined units in southern France around this time were I. and II./KG 26 (Ju 88); III./KG 100 (Do 217); part of II./KG 77 (Ju 88); 1.(F)/33 (Ju 88, Ju 188, Me 410).

[Henofred]

Hello Nick,

Thank you for these additional info. I was also thinking to the Geschwader Bongart but it seems that this unit has not carried out missions in the area where occured the crash.

Best regards,
Frederic