NJG Combat Loss 3/4 Feb 45

[RodM]

Hello One and All,

does anyone know of any combat loss of (probably) a Ju88, possibly of NJG2 or 4, somewhere NW to W of Wesel on the night of the 3rd/4th February 1945.

Apparently such a loss was confirmed by the HQ of No 83 Group, 2TAF, RAF...

Cheers

RodM

[Chris Goss]

A Ju 88 G-6 of 3/NJG 2 crashed as a result of combat near Marienfeld; the other losses were a He 219 and a Bf 110

[RodM]

Hi Chris,

thanks for the details.

I cannot say if the Marienfeld loss would relate to the specific incident. The 'Ju88' attacked a RAF Lancaster illuminated by a fighter flare in the region NW to W of Wesel just after 2005 hrs, as the Lancaster was homeward ater attacking Bottrop. The Ju88 opened fire from behind at a range of 150 yrds and the rear funner of the Lanc returned fire with a 5 second burst that lasted until the Ju88 passed under the Lancaster at a range of 25 yrds. The pilot saw the night fighter enveloped in flames (it was he who 'positively identified' it as a 'Ju188') at very close distance just under the Lanc's starboard wing before it dived down out of sight.

The Lancaster, itself on fire, struggled on a further 40-50 miles before it was abandoned over Allied lines. According to a report, the HQ of 83 Group 2 TAF confirmed that witnesses on the ground saw the combat and also saw the Ju88 crash, which was also confirmed. In view of the witnesses, I doubt that the 2TAF info would be derived from 'Y' Traffic, which could've been the case for the Ju88 that crashed at Marienfeld...

The He219 was that of Hptm. Graf Rességuier and was also shot down by a bomber (one of those that attacked Dortmund) that crashed soon after.

Cheers

Rod

[RT]

Difficult to read the NVM, but location seems to be Marienschildt near Gütersloh, not the fastest way to return from the Ruhr..there are others losses of Ju88, these nights, but without crew casualties.

remi

[RodM]

Hi Remi,

thanks for the reply. I can find no reference to a place called either Marienschildt or Marienscheldt... I've checked the history of I./NJG2 and it states that the aircraft was lost "by Marienschild, by Gütersloh airfield". No luck with that spelling either...


Would you happen to have any information about any of the other Ju88s lost (excl non-combat)?

Unfortunately, the RAF report is not specific enough about the circumstances of the alledged loss.

Cheers

Rod

[mhuxt]

There's a Marienfeld about 8km NW of Guetersloh town centre - just a guess.

I thought the 219 was shot down by a 410 Sqn Mossie - is this incorrect?