Uffz Erasmus Fröschmann, JG 53

[Laurent Rizzotti]

I would like to know more about this pilot (who shot down a French F-5A on 3 Nov 1943).

Tony Wood claimlists list for him 4 victories but numbered them 1-2 and 4-5. The two first were on 6 June and 3 November 1943, the two last were in October 1944. All were scored with III./53 and this man's rank didn't change, as he was still an Uffz he probably didn't move and remained with the same Staffel (8./JG 53 becoming 11./JG 53 in summer 1944). Or maybe he was sent as instructor to a school, or wounded and spend months away from the front.

I did a quick search for the possible number 3 victory of this man and found only one possibility. III/JG 53 claimed 2 victories at 13.20 hrs on 27 November 1943 over Italy but the OKL film is too underexposed to read the names (according to Tony Wood files).

So my questions are:

1) what was the final fate of this man ? He is not listed in the German wardead database but that means nothing.

2) was he wounded sometimes between November 1943 and October 1944 ?

3) does anybody know more about the III/JG 53 claims on 27 November 1943 ?

Thanks in advance

Laurent

[John Beaman]

Hi Laurent--some answers

Bf 109G-6, 163030, Fröschmann, Uffz. Eramus, 5 kills, 8./JG 53, schwarze 6 + |,

24-May-44, WIA in Luftkampf with enemy fighters and engine trouble. FSA, Prien, JG 53, III, p. 1156., Radicofane Italy

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks John

In the meantime I googled his name and found a site (linked to a Il-2 sim group) listing JG 53 pilots names (almost all of those that scored a victory) and their fate, when known.

Fröschmann is again listed with 5 kills, fate unknown.

The site is http://web1.148221.vserver.de/Geschichte_I.htm

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Laurent,

Details of Fröschmann's 3rd claim

Date; Name; Unit; Claim; Time

19Mar44: Uffz Erasmus Fröschmann; 8/JG53; 1xB-26 (3rd); 10:15

[Source - JG53, Vol III - Jochen Prien]

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher