I/ZG26 first victory using Me 410

[andy bird]

Trying to find out who claimed the first victory with I/ZG26 in the Me 410-A1 version.

Kind Regards

Andy Bird

[John Manrho]

As I./ZG 26 switched to Me 410's in Faßberg mid March 1944 I think the first claim was a B-24 HSS on May 12th 1944 at 15.10 hrs by Flg. Erich Manstein of the 2./ZG 26.

Cheers,

John

[Stig Jarlevik]

John

Checking what Donald Caldwell states in Day Fighters in Defence of the Reich for May 12th, he states on page 292 that ZG 26 made 5 claims that day and lost 4 Me 410. On page 293 he refutes that statement by listing (in total) 4 claims and 5 losses, ie a total reverse of what he says on his previous page....

However he lists the first claim (a single B-17) to have been made for the inbound raid between appx 11.30 to 13.30H by II./ZG 26. On the return flight II./ZG 26 again scores against a single B-17, while I./ZG 26 claims 2 B-24. These three claims are between 13.00 and 16.00H.

Exactly why Caldwell makes two different statements on page 292 and 293 is something I have no opinion about, although I can make a guess, but the important deduction regarding this discussion is that you seems to refer in your statement to the SECOND claim by ZG 26 (you say 2./ZG 26 and Caldwell says II./ZG 26 and I don't know which is correct).

Perhaps you can clarify by giving your complete ZG 26 version for that fateful day?

Cheers
Stig

[John Manrho]

I was simply listing the first I. Gruppe claim I have, being Flg. Manstein of the 2. Staffel.....I did not bother about II./ZG 26 (II. Gruppe) claims....

John

Ps. Manstein's claim was a B-24, my apologies

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks John

So if I read you correctly, you only have the claims from I./ZG 26 and none from II./ZG 26? A pity since I was hoping you would be able to say which of Caldwell's statements that were correct...

Anyway from Caldwell's statements and your correction of aircraft type it seems "your " man DID make the first claim of I./ZG 26 since as stated above II./ZG 26 made one claim vs the inbound bombers which should make that claim the first for the whole Geschwader using the Me 410.

ZG 26 had flown some missions before, on April 29th, May 7th and May 9th, but not been able to make any contact with the US forces.

Cheers
Stig

[Jim P.]

I have 4 losses for II./ZG 26 for 12-May, one of which was listed twice in my db. This double entry appears to be for an Erprob.Kdo 25 crew flying a II./ZG 26 plane since the report in the Schulen records references a Verbande loss reported in the Gen.Qu. losses for 17-May (these records so far are missing). Note that these reports only account for incidents where there were casualties. (Any update to the duplicate Kaschuba losses would be appreciated.)

Me 410A-1, 420474, Schmale, Ltn. Günther, , II., 4., ZG 26, , , , , 12-May-44, KIA due to Luftkampf. Bf FSA, WIA., , RLV, Ring, ZG 26 loss list, , Hildburghausen, 100%, F, Bf Ogefr. Hans Steckler, ,
Me 410A-1, 420478, n.n., , II., 5., ZG 26, , , , , 12-May-44, Luftkampf. Bf WIA., , RLV, Ring, ZG 26 loss list, , Gotha, b, F, Bf Uffz. Georg Vey, ,
Me 410A, 110241, Kaschuba, Ltn. Paul, , , , Erprob.Kdo. 25, , , , , 12-May-44, Crew KIA due to Luftkampf., See Verbande 17.6.44. Dup with WNr. 710241., Lfl.Reich, BA-MA Signatur RL 2 III/779, Flzg.-Unfälle und Verluste bei Schulen und usw., p.39, , bei Schleiz, 100%, E, Bf Fw. Max Bredemeier, ,
Me 410B-2, 710241, Kaschuba, Ltn. Paul, , II., Stab II., ZG 26, blaue 13, 3U + 13, , , 12-May-44, Crew killed in crash during landing., Dup with WNr. 110241., RLV, Ring, ZG 26 loss list, , 1km östlich Plauen, 100%, F, Bf Ofw. Karl Bredemeier, ,
Me 410A-1, 420493, Wilde, Gefr. Richard, , II., 6., ZG 26, , 3U+EC, , , 12-May-44, WIA due to Luftkampf. Bf KIA., , RLV, Ring, ZG 26 loss list, , Sonneberg, 100%, F, Bf Gefr. Karl Lapsie, ,

[andy bird]

John, Stig, and Jim,

Thank you for sharing this info, just writing a piece for the MoD on the Me 410 and needed a link in with the one on display from ZG26.

Kind Regards

Andy Bird

[Stig Jarlevik]

No worries Andy

I was curious myself

Jim, thanks for your update and loss records!

Cheers
Stig