Crashed Ju-88 (?): Battle of the Bulge

[herbstnebel]

Hello all,

As a passionated Battle of the Bulge researcher, I would like to obtain more information about a crashed airplane. The plane is probably a Junkers 88 type G-1 and crashed on the 24 December 1944 around 0300 in the Belgian Ardennes.

I hope to find more information about the circumstances of the crash and the identity of the pilot. I know he died of his wounds short after he crashed. Any information or suggestions to find so, are greatly apprecriated.

thank's in advance,

Herbstnebel

[Horst Weber]

Good afternoon Herbstnebel !

There are some candidates for your Ju 88. The sources are the book of Michael Balss "Die deutsche Nachtjagd -Personalverluste in Ausbildung und Einsatz" (Balss I) and the so called "Vermisstenbuch", a listing of Luftwaffe missing cases Dec. 1944 - March 1945, compiled by Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (Gen.Qu). Available by BA-MA as file RL 2 III/1170 e.g.

- 23/24 Dec. 1944 4./NJG 4 Ju 88 G-1 710891 (3C+HM)
vermisst:
Ofw. Bachmann, Heinz F
Uffz. Schröder, Wilhelm Bf
Ofw. Ertl, Georg Bw
reason and location of the loss: unknown.
source: Balss I, page 419 + Gen.Qu. dated 31. 1. 45, no. 35

- 23/24 Dec. 1944 5./NJG 4 Ju 88 G-1 711299 (3C+HM)
vermisst:
Fw. Stänglen, Hans-Dietrich F
Uffz. Krumbiegel, Karl-Heinz Bf
Obgefr. Dießner, Ferdinand Bw
reason and location of the loss: unknown. (Balss I mentiones: Westfront)
source: Balss I, page 419 + Gen.Qu. dated 31. 1. 45, no. 36

- 23. Dec. 1944 III./NJG 2 Ju 88 G-4 620587 (4R+BV)
vermisst:
Ltn. Möckel, Wolfram F
Uffz. Stendke, Gerhard Bf
Uffz. Harling, Johann Bs
reason and location of the loss: unknown.
source : Gen.Qu. dated 1. 1. 45, no. 68

- 23. Dec. 1944 II./NJG 2 Ju 88 G-6 620170 (4R+BN)
vermisst:
Ofw. Lubenack, Karl F
Ofw. Haarmann, Günther Bf
Ofw. Haug, Alfred Bs
reason and location of the loss: unknown.
source : Gen.Qu. dated 1. 1. 45, no. 68

On my opinion, cases # 1 +2 may match up with your request. There were some other losses of Ju 88 this night, but they all have known crash-locations or no fatal casualties occured.

Hope it helps and all the best !

Horst Weber

[David E. Brown]

Herbstnebel,

There are four or five photos of the wreck for the candidate aircraft that Horst mentions - Ju 88 G-1 710891 of 4./NJG 4. They appeared on eBay some time ago. I saved copies of them, so if you wish I can forward them to you. Just drop me a PM.

Cheers,

David

[herbstnebel]

Thank you Horst Weber and David for your fast response. I am totally a green in the world of aviation and really appreciate your help. I hope to be able with your help, to identify the plain and it's crew.

[ClinA-78]

Hello Herbstnebel,

Can you confirm the ID of this particular Ju 88G, thanks the help of David's pictures?
I have investigated this case too some years ago...

Best regards

ClinA-78

[herbstnebel]

ClinA-78,

I have strong reasons to accept the plane is indead the Ju 88 G-1 nr. 710891, thanks to the help of David E. Brown and Horst Weber. May I ask how you have interest in this case, I'm surprised this crash site is already been researched. Since not much of the local citizens remember/know this. Feel free to PM me.

Thanks, Herbstnebel