Loss of 1/KG77, Ju88 A4, 3Z+ICH 15.12.1942. Philippeville, Belgium.

[Joe Potter]

Any info, I have the crew names and fates, but need any other info on the circumstances of this loss.
Thanks
Joe

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi Joe,

Philippeville is in Algeria, rather than Belgium. Ten Ju 88s of I. and II./K.G. 77, operating under II. Fliegerkorps, attacked the harbour there on the night of 15/16 December, causing fires.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

[Joe Potter]

I think the Philippeville in question is 25 km south south east of Charleroi, Belgium! but Algeria could be an option.

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi Joe,

It was the Philippeville in Algeria. Attached is the relevant mission order from II. Fliegerkorps.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

[Joe Potter]

Thanks Andrew,
Sorted, the pilot, Ofw Kurt Berning EKM 53576/541, was killed, and all the other members of his crew were POW, but Berning is not listed by the VDK, hence my enquiry.

[Rottler]

Hi Joe,

the aircraft was Ju 88 A-4 WNr. 140208 3Z+JH (Gen.Qu. loss report from 23 Dec 1942).

Regards
Leo

[Dan History]

Hello Joe,

This has already answered by others, I will leave the loss record from Volume 3 of "Meditteranean Air War" by Shores et al. here, for reference:

1./KG 77 Ju 88 A-4 WNr 142 008 3Z+JG lost near Philippeville; Obfw Kurt Berning KiA, three PoW.

The British night fighter claims are all matched by other losses, so presumably this Ju 88 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Perhaps there is an Allied interrogation report with this information, given that three crew members were taken prisoner.

Regards,

Dan

[Joe Potter]

Thanks to Leo and Dan, I have PM'd you both.

[Stig Jarlevik]

So which one was it?

Wnr 140208 or 142008? I don't have my WNr list where I am right now, so I don't know if both are possible and if so where the typo is....

Cheers
Stig

[gogh]

I have WNr.088 0140208 as 4D+GH -1942-04-26 source http://www.luftwaffe.no