Losses 5./JG 2 – 31 December 1943

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour,

I was wondering if Jochen Prien, in one of his books - regarding Jagdgeschwader 2 - spoke about the two airmen below and the mission of December 31, 1943. If so, I would be pleased to know what he has wrote?

5./JG 2 Gefr. Klaus-Peter Klinkauf - KIA
5./JG 2 Uffz. Günther Reggentin - WND

I thank you beforehand for the assistance.

Best regards,
Frederic

[Rottler]

Hello Frederic,

quoted from JFV 10/IV:
5./JG 2 Gefr Klaus-Peter Klinkauf + Luftkampf, Absturz Trégomeur bei St. Brieuc, FSA, Schirm am Antennenmast aufgerissen, 100% Bf 109 G-6 15 383
5./JG 2 Uffz Günther Reggentin verw Luftkampf, Absturz bei St. Quay nördlich St. Brieuc, 100% Bf 109 G-6 20 776.
The mission: "Kurz nach 14.00 Uhr stiegen dann die II. und III./JG 2 sowie die II./JG 26 auf und wurden danach an die über die Bretagne abfliegenden Viermot herangeführt …. Dabei hatte sich die Gruppe auch mit den Spitfire und Typhoon der Jagdaufnahme auseinanderzusetzen, und verlor dabei zwei Maschinen der 5. Staffel …"

Regards
Leo

[Henofred]

Thanks, Merci Leo,

...for these excerpts. Attached the death card of Gefr. Klaus-Peter Klinkauf (Source: Fold3 site).

Best regards,
Frederic

[Chris Goss]

The only claim for a Bf 109 was by Fg Off Douglas Warren of 165 Sqn; 165 claimed three Fw 190s and 257 Sqn damaged another

[Henofred]

Thanks Chris for these extra details. Much appreciated.

Best regards,
Frederic

[RT]

What are doing there the brits ? return from Sub-bases ?


Rémi

[Chris Goss]

Ramrod over the Brest Peninsula

[Laurent Rizzotti]

From a file by Tony Wood about Fighter Command in 1943, I copy below only the part for the Ramrod over Britanny:

RAF 10 & 11 Group: Ramrod 404
Heavy-Bomber Support
09.45 Z: Spitfires & Typhoons

R.A.F. Support in conjunction with Heavy-Bomber Attacks. 12 Typhoon FB.Ib bombers of 183 Squadron took-off from Predannack at 10.00 hrs., to attack the airfields at Brest/Guipavas and Morlaix, but both attacks were rendered abortive owing to unfavourable weather conditions. Uneventful fighter-sweeps over Brittany by 71 Spitfires Vb, Vc and VII of 310, 312, 313, 616, 340 and 341 Squadrons and 15 Typhoons of 193 and 266 Squadrons were also carried out. Withdrawal-support was provided by 24 Spitfires IX of 131 and 165 Squadrons, and 14 Typhoons of 257 and 266 Squadrons which swept the Brest-Morlaix-St. Brieuc areas. One Typhoon Ib and pilot of 257 Squadron are missing.

Withdrawal-Support: Culmhead
RAF 10 Gp. 165 Sqn. 12 Spitfire LF.Vc 14.10-16.15 Ramrod 404 4 - 0 - 0 E/A No casualty WD-S: St. Brieuc-Paimpol

Claim 31.12.43 S/Ldr. H.A. Johnson 10 Group 165 Sqn. 1 - 0 - 0 FW 190 15.00: Paimpol 12000-deck
Claim 31.12.43 F/O T.A. Vance 10 Group 165 Sqn. 1 - 0 - 0 FW 190 15.00: Paimpol 12000-deck
Claim 31.12.43 F/O T.A. Vance 10 Group 165 Sqn. 1 - 0 - 0 FW 190 15.05: Paimpol 12000-deck
Claim 31.12.43 F/O B. Warren 10 Group 165 Sqn. 1 - 0 - 0 Me 109G 15.00: Paimpol 12000-deck

1st Fighter-Sweep: Exeter
RAF 10 Gp. 257 Sqn. 8 Typhoon Ib 14.13-16.10 Ramrod 404 0 - 0 - 1 FW 190 1 Cat.Em Flak WD-S: St. Brieuc-Paimpol

Cat.Em 31.12.43 F/O M.H.Yi: KIA 10 Group 257 Sqn. Typhoon Ib JP742: R FW 190s: St. Brieuc

Claim 31.12.43 Pilot 10 Group 257 Sqn. 0 - 0 - 1 FW 190 Times: St. Brieuc

Just a note of mine: Tony Wood says this was Ramrod 404. The book "fighter command war diaries, part 4" says that Ramrod 401-404 and 406 were attacks on flying-bomb sites, while the sweep over Britanny was 10 Group Ramrod 118.

[Henofred]

Hello/Bonjour Laurent,

Thank you for this very complete answer. Useful.

All the best,
Frederic