Missions KG 51 (J) end of April '45

[Rolfeb]

Hi All,

based on the book "KG 51" by Wolfgang Dierich, the KG 51 (J) flew missions from Memmingen but 23rd of April the unit had to leave Memmingen and new base became München Riehm.
Is there any evidence the unit fllew some missions with Me 262 - probably 2-seater night fighter at 24th of April?
In particular I'm interested in the 24th of April.
Thanks in advance

Rolf

[SES]

Hi Rolf,
To the best of my knowledge KG 51 never became a (J) but remained a pure KG.
bregds
SES

[Nick Beale]

SES is correct, it remained a Kampfgeschwader flying bombing missions. In late April it operated against the American bridgehead at Dillingen (from memory, I'll have to check that) before the small number of aircraft remaining retreated to bases around Prague. A few of the unit's jets were taken over by JV 44 as well.

[Rolfeb]

SES, Nick,

thanks a lot for your info.
Nick, if you have some Details about the missions against the Dillingen Bridge head I'm very interested in.

Thanks a lot

Rolf

[Karoband]

Hi Rolf,

All Me 262 B-1/U1 two-seater nightfighters were assigned to 10./NJG 11 and, as far as I Know, all are accounted for.
However, a single-seat Me 262 A-1a with black undersides to the engine nacelles, suggesting a nightfighter, was found at Innsbruck-Hotting and most likely came from Munchen-Riem on 29 April 1945.

What made you think KG 51 pilots were flying a nightfighter from Munchen-Riem on 24 April?

Jim Geens

[Rolfeb]

Hi Jim,
presently doing some Research around the Dillingen Bridge because I lived in that area for many years.
I talked to some eye withnesses insisting that there was a Crash of a Me 262 double seater Close to Dillingen Bridge on 24th of April. There are no clear evidence but they are insisting it was in the night.
So this is the reason I try to find out if it could be possible or not. As Nick mentioned the KG 51 flew some missions against the Bridge head and I hope to bring some light into this.

Rolf

[Karoband]

Hi Rolf,

On further digging, I find I was in error about all Me 262 B-1/U1s being accounted for.

According to O'Connell's Production Log, (2005) p.120 there was one that drops off the grid:

110979 Me 262 B-1/U1. ... Also flown on 23 March by Poppe of the DLH at Staaken. Known to have had a K 22 autopilot installed...

There is no record I can find of this aircraft with 10./NJG 11.

Nor can I find any Me 262 B-1a trainer assigned to KG 51.

I hope you find something.

Jim

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Rolfeb

SES, Nick,

thanks a lot for your info.
Nick, if you have some Details about the missions against the Dillingen Bridge head I'm very interested in.

Thanks a lot

Rolf

You can read all the ULTRA messages for the period online at the National Archives website.

A list of the file reference numbers is here: http://www.ghostbombers.com/Ultra/defe3list3.html

[Rolfeb]

Nick,
thanks a lot for your instruction.
Unfortunately the reports KO 1251 and onwards are noot digitised yet and cannot be downloaded.

Thanks again
ROlf