16 GIAP 31.05.1944 Jassy

[keith A]

According to the Osprey P-39 history this unit, with flights led by Rechkalov and Klubov lost 5 P-39 in a dogfight over Jassy. Apaarently Rechkalov was at fault and was reprimanded. Can anyone tell me more about this action. What pilots were lost and which Axis unit was involved. I know JG52 made nearly 30 claims for p-39s on this date at various times and location so assume they were the culprits.

best regards

Keith

[HGabor]

I know about 3 missing and 1 killed 9 GvIAD, 16 GvIAP pilots this day:

гв.мл.л-т Петухов Владимир Сергеевич (MIA, 1922-31.05.1944)
гв.л-т Карпов Николай Павлович (MIA, 1922-31.05.1944)
гв.мл.л-т Барышев Илья Павлович (MIA, 1923-31.05.1944)
гв.л-т Чистов Николай Александрович (KIA, 1923-31.05.1944)

I hope this helps.
Gabor

[Nick Hector]

Please keep in mind that 16 GIAP weren't the only unit to lose Airacobras that day. I have been able to turn up the following:

129 GIAP Leytenant Nikolay Fedorovich Burgunov POW and returned postwar

508 IAP lost Viktor Aleksandrovich Sandalinov and Ml.Lt. Vasily Demianovich Shkondin KIA

It goes at least some way toward explaining some of the numerous claims put in for P-39s that date...

Nick

[keith A]

Thanks chaps. I wish I had more information about the combat. I will try and see if Klubov or Rechkalov can be linked to more details.

[researcher111]

16th GvIAP lost on that day near Iasi 13 P-39's. 508 IAP two. Russian side claimed 44
enemy planes downed not clear if this figure can be verified nor the claimed
types. If the 39 Luftwaffe claims were related to P-39 then this claim is totally
exagerated. The Soviets seems to have lost 27 fighters and one PE-2. Retchkalov
was reprimanded and probably also demoted from Major to Senior Lt thanks to his
old 55 IAP friend Pokrishkin who discussed the matters with Podgorney and Utin.
I am however not sure if the demotion was effective on that day or later .

[Nick Hector]

16th GvIAP lost on that day near Iasi 13 P-39's. 508 IAP two.

The Soviets seems to have lost 27 fighters and one PE-2.



Are you able to provide details of these losses?

[researcher111]

Gabor

I knew you was going to come back on this

16th GvIAP

Malenkov forced landing damage beyond repair
Ivanov -fate unknown
Baryeshev POW , first declared MIA , then KIA and finally POW
Burgunov- POW Stalag Luft II .Victim of the Soviet system on post WWII era, 8 victories may still be alive ( downing date not clear)
Volkov ( fate uknown )
Gurov Iasi area ( possible 30.5.44)
Myronov ( fate unknown ,possible POW)
Eryomin
Kamensky
Karpov ( Rediul ) bailed out chute didn't open
Osypov ( fate uknown )
Petuhov
Rudenko ( belly landing , P-39 beyond repair)
Tschistov
Yazov near Vulturul initially reported near Serpeni
Duritzkin ( landed on Rumanian / German occupied territory fate unknown,possible POW )
Naumov or Nahumov forced landing on Soviet occupied area , no details
Turjansky - (Ryadovoy) possibly demoted to PvT,P-39 trainee , missing , fate unknown possibly killed on ground or non
flying circumstances or local training flight
Irina Alexandrovna -suicide -aircrew/trainee - unknown circumstances ( non flying incident ) rank unknown
Tagyltzev Nikolay Petrovitch - Captain- details uknown , missing , pilot ,possibly non combat related,possibly
on also training flight along with Turjansky

PE-2 Dyadov & crew near Balti , 511 recon sqd , possible Lipfert's victim though no clear details , HSU Hero

Maybe some one can ident the attached shot as into the P-39 IAP or GvIAP it belonged to.

Note some details may not be available on OBD

[keith A]

Fascinating. It's odd because tying up the claims of JG52 I would have expected a correlation between claims for P-39 and the IL-2 they were escorting indicating a large aerial battle, but I can't find one. The various groups make several claims, especially Willi Batz and his stab, but there's no obvious time and place unless two or more groups meet the same enemy formation within a 30-45 minute time frame. I will try and marry up the times and places.

best regards

Keith

[robert]

Hi,

Kpt. Pawel K. Eryomin 06.30 hrs combat with Fw 190, his P-39 crashed near Zacharka
Lt. Karpow 09.50 hrs shot down by enemy fighters in the area of Redinu-Metropolij
Lt. Czistow, Lt. Baryszew, Lt. Pietuchow - all FTR after combat with enemy fighters at approx. 09.50 hrs.
P-39 of Lt. Rudenko was damaged by 4 Fw 190s in the same combat and belly-landed outside the airfield. Pilot was slightly wounded and aircraft was written off.

Regards

Robert

[researcher111]

Robert

The locations are mispelled , also got some questions

Based on what documents did you determine Eryomin crashed near Zahorna
and Karpov the Rediul area ? If D.Hazanov was your source,then this publication
containing some errors as into same crash sites and some events.

Keith as previously discussed both Russian and Luftwaffe claims are mismatching
the reality. Going through Batz , Chavchanidze,Kryukov and Marinsky memoirs they too
containing numerous errors , additionally Aviamaster Russia despite interesting
stuff published in there it carries numerous errors one of which is the tactical sketch
of Maj.Borschevsky Hdq 5th VA dated 8.6.1944.