I./SG 152 vs 15th USAAF, 10 May 1944

[Don Caldwell]

Can anyone shed some light on this mission? The Gruppe claimed 2 B-24s, but that's all I know. My usual source for Schulgeschwader activities draws a blank on this one.

Horrido!

Don

[Peter Kassak]

as for the 15usaaf:

5/10/1944 B-24 41-29513 484 S. Essmann Rust a. See, AU
5/10/1944 B-24 41-29531 484 S. Howes Grossmittel, AU
5/10/1944 B24 42-52468 464 777 J. Latimer
5/10/1944 B24 42-64441 464 778 L. Wygal Mollram, AU "Cherry"
5/10/1944 AC NOT LOST 460 762 W.R.Hammond
5/10/1944 B24 41-28855 460 R. Reynolds Umg. Wiener Neustadt, AU
5/10/1944 B24 42-52362 460 C. Jameson Zillindorf, AU
5/10/1944 B24 42-52416 460
5/10/1944 B24 42-52433 460 W. Clifford Obereggensdorf, AU
5/10/1944 B-24H-10-CF 42-64492 456 746 Manlove Zut, CR/YU flak, ditch "Curly Top"
5/10/1944 B24 42-52189 456 746 Bowering Nienburg/Rechnitz, AU flak "Squat N Drop It"
5/10/1944 B24 42-52287 456 747 J. Jeannings Frauenwald-Rettenegg, AU flak "Fat Ass"
5/10/1944 B24 41-28894 456 747 R. Clark Matzendorf b.Wiener.Neustadt, AU flak -
5/10/1944 B24 41-28633 456 747 Aschmann Wiener.Neustadt fight -
5/10/1944 B24 42-64465 451
5/10/1944 B24 42-52501 451 G. Whitfill Neusiedler See, AU
5/10/1944 B24 42-94753 451 YU

so may be it helps a bit?

[Don Caldwell]

Thanks, Peter, every bit of info helps. This list looks like it originated with the MACR list. I'm sure you're aware that ~20% of the 15th AF MACRs never made it to the NARA -- a greater percentage of loss than any other numbered air force. So the total number of MACRs for a given mission can't be used for statistical purposes. (Also, of course, a/c that made it back to Allied territory, crash-landed and were then scrapped, which should count as material losses, would never have had MACRs.) Better are the summaries in the Mission Reports & Intops, except that some of the a/c listed as "missing" or "NYR" the evening of the mission had actually landed away from the base. So it really takes data from both sources to get an accurate USAAF loss count, and the unknown number of missing 15th AF MACRS make this really, really, tough for the "Forgotten Fifteenth" (sorry about that, Ferdinando.)

Other than one PM, no-one has stepped up with I./SG 152 data for this date. I now know that their two B-24 claims were confirmed, and one of the victorious pilots was shot down and killed. Does anyone have anything else?

[Peter Kassak]

Hi Don

Of course I am aware of that fact. But combining MACR lists with Intops summaries and Group histories can give quite better view
I am studying Forgotten 15th for some time...and know that it is wrth to look for data
I posted the list just to add the crash sites of few planes...so it may narrow or shorten your search for victims...

regards

[Don Caldwell]

The crash sites are very useful, Peter. I shouldn't be lecturing folks who've been studying the 15th longer than I have. Thanks again...

Don

[Michal]

So called Einsatzkommando I./SG 152 based in Prostějov (Prossnitz) A/F took part in this attack. Pilots were selected from instructor of this unit and probably from most experienced scholars of this training unit. It is necessary to point out that in reality only pilots from Stab, 1. and 3./SG 152 were involved. It is not sure if they took-off from Prostějov A/F or were for short staioned on some of Vienna´s A/Fs. Probably they took off from Prostějov A/F. There are several known operations against US Bombers im April - June 1944 over Austria, last one, I./SG 152 (know IV./SG 151) was acted against US Bombers on August 25 1944 with loss at least 13 Fw 190A-5, A-6 and F-8.

I have got some additonal information because I am preparing an article on this theme - I./SG 152 and Moravia. I am not sure at the moment (I need to look to my remarks) but there were no losses of SG 152 on Mai 10 1944. I think the one known loss of SG 152 in combat is for example on Mai 12 1944.

[Don Caldwell]

Thanks, Michal. I have just received a PM stating that Obfw. Ernst Krüger of 1./SG 152 was killed on 10 May 44 after shooting down a B-24. Do you have any information on Obfw. Krüger's combat?

Don

[Michal]

Well, it is unknown to me. Interesting would be to know source of information.

According to my notes, Ofw. Ernst "Ohm" Krüger served on Eastern Front and as member of 6./SchG 1 was awarded DKiG. Sometimes in Summer 1943 was put out of Front Service and served as Flying Instructor in I./SG 152. The reason was that his wife was blinded and nobody could take care of his children. Krüger exchanged his Instructor Post with Ofw. Hermann Buchner somewhere in July/August 1944 and became new Staffelführer 4./SG 2 (after Buchner). According to my notes some "Ofw. Krieger" from Stab/SG 152 claimed victory over 1 B-24 on May 24 1944 and not on May 10 1944. So, if it is our Krüger (and I think it is), he could not died in some Aerial Battle early then in August/September 1944 and according recollections of Hermann Buchner he was still alive in November 1944.

[Don Caldwell]

This is well worth following up. I'll copy your post to my source and find out where he got his information & whether he has any further comments. I'm still looking for I./SG 152 losses for the date -- at this point, I'd settle for totals.

Horrido!

Don

[Don Caldwell]

Obfw. Ernst Krüger of 1./SG 152 was not killed on 10 May 44. My source misread his spreadsheet -- slipped a line, happens to us all, especially those of a certain age. So thanks for keeping us honest, Michal, and I'm still looking for any I./SG 152 losses on 10 May 1944.

Don