Fw 200, KG 40, shot down early 1944

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Dear Gang,

I chanced on this gun camera film over on reddit showing the impressive chase and demise at tree top level of a KG 40 Fw 200, early in 1944:
https://www.reddit.com/r/GunCameraCl...r_taking_fire/

I at first thought this would be Fw 200 C-4/U2 W.Nr. 0139 "F8+HW", 12.(Erg)/KG 40, shot down by 247 Sqn Typhoon at Semerville, 15 km S of Chateaudun, France, 29.01.1944. (FF) Fluglehrer Ofw Karl-Heinz Schwenicke WIA, (F.2) Uffz. Karl Rau KIA, (F.2) Fw. Kurt Miklas KIA, (Bf) Uffz. Erhard Jaensch KIA, (Bm) Ofw. Josef Haas WIA, (Bm) Fw. Karl Sandl WIA, (TP) Ogfr. Benedikt Helmer KIA and (TP) Fw. Johann Nelles WIA. Source: Skutts, Fw200, s.246; TOCH (10.1.2006, Brian Bines, Chris Goss)

After checking the available 247 Sqn gun camera films, they do not match alas:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ect/1060036749

There are two other candidates :

- Fw 200 C from 1./KG 40, shot down by 418 Sqn Beaufighters at Vorly-Mangoux, SW of Bourges, 27.01.1944.

- Fw 200C-4 W.Nr. 0170, 8./KG 40, shot down by P-38's at Annoix, along the Crosses - St.Just road, 10 km SW of Bourges-Avord, 05.02.1944.

Thanks in advance for any lead in order to identify this machine.

[zorglub]

Not a P-38 claim . The camera was located in pylon under the port wing , see tracers .

[harryurz]

Extra 1944 Condor stuff that might be of interest; https://www.docdroid.net/g60pIjs/las...storian-20-pdf

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Thanks Zorglub and HArryurz for your feedbacks.

After some further research, we most probably see Fw 200 C-4 W,Nr. 0170, 8./KG40, shot down by P-47's along the Crosses-Saint-Just road, Annoix, 10 km SW of Bourges-Avord, 05.02.1944.

(FF) Hptm Anton Leder KIA, (F.2) Uffz. Kurt Frosch WIA, (Bf) Ofw. Franz Krasemann KIA, (Bf) Fw. Josef Klütgens WIA, (Bm) Uffz. Fritz Schimmel KIA, (Bm) Ogfr. Paul Stähler WIA, (Bs) Uffz. Herbert Tücking KIA, (TP) Gefr. Peter Möbus KIA, (TP) Gefr. Franz Hölter and (TP) Ogfr. Arthur Stieg both WIA. Source: Scutts, Fw200, s.246; Liste-RT, EB05KAA.

Here a French account of that day:

"February 5, 1944: the large Avord air base cannot indefinitely escape a major mission. During the "briefing", the "Intelligence Officer" gives a quick portrait of it: "This airfield was already an important and well-equipped French military airfield before the German invasion. It has been continuously occupied by groups of long-range bombers equipped with Heinkel He111s from July 1940 until today. For short periods, there may be up to two Groups based on this airfield and aircraft from other airfields land on this base on their return from operations. We believe that for the last twelve months its main activity has been crew training." The reconnaissance mission carried out on January 4 supports these statements. The photographs show a four-engine Focke-Wulf Fw200 on the northern "dispersal", 5 Fw200s facing the hangars located along the Avord-Farges road and a twin-engine He177 taking off. In front of the southern hangars, there is a Fw200, 2 He177s, 2 He111s and a Caudron C445. Finally, 3 Fw200s are parked in the western part of the field.
The attack that Avord is the target of that day, with Châteauroux and Tours, is carried out by Boeing B 17s and Consolidated B24 "Liberators" escorted by Republic P 47 "Thunderbolts" and Lockheed P 38 "Lightnings". During the mission, a few bombs are dropped over Foëcy, causing material damage but no casualties.

When the American bombers arrived at Avord, the Germans, already alerted, quickly took off the planes blocking the runways. At 11:09, the first bombs fell on the base. A tail gunner recounted: "I saw a German bomber that was taking off for takeoff but 4 P 38 fighters swooped down on it and sent it crashing." Several hangars received direct hits and were seriously damaged. The surrounding areas were not spared: 16 houses in the hamlet of "Les Vignes" were blown up and partially destroyed. The American fighters shot down a four-engine and a twin-engine enemy plane caught taking off. The first crashed at Annoix and the second in the marshes between Fenestrelay and Bourges. Source: bombardements_aeriens_bourges.html

The statement in bold applies exactly to what the gun camera film shows - probably taken by a P-47 given your point.

[zorglub]

20th FG ( then P-38 ) claimed one Fw200 and one He111 both detroyed at Bourges , shared between 6 pilots that day . P-47 claims were only Me109s and Fw190s in Chartres , Bernay and Tours area .
I guess your film shows another kill , the Beaufighter fits well at tree top height .

[Chris Goss]

Sorry to come to this late but I have been away. 418 Sqn was flying Mosquitoes not Beaufighters. I cannot confirm what this is but the losses are covered in my book on the Fw 200 and forthcoming book on KG 40

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Thanks zorglub and Chris.

zorglub, IMHO, tracers seen do speak for wing guns, not pod guns.

Looking forward for your book, Chris; I pre-oredered it - can't wait for late April

[FalkeEins]

Hi Marc-André, that makes two of us. Thanks for your research and this interesting thread. I reposted a couple of screen captures from the film....and was contacted by Leder's grandson. He was looking for more info, so I've pointed him in the direction of this thread.

[Chris Goss]

Interesting as I have photos of Leder and the crew as you probably know

[Marc-André Haldimann]

@Neil, you're most welcome. Glad to be of help for Leder's family story.