15th Dec 1941 - A Nordic Claim - Ju 88

[Knut Larsson]

On this day in North-Africa, P/O Svend Erik van der Aa Kühle (a dane) from RAF 274 SQN during a scramble was credited with a Ju 88 destroyed appx. 15 mls S of Sollum. I have been told that this Ju 88 probably belonged to 2.(F)/AGr 123.

Anybody who can confirm this and also have further information about the Ju 88, name and fate crew, WNr. and so on.....

By the way P/O Kühle himself was brought down and killed on 12th Feb 1942 probably by the wellknown Lt. Hans-Joachim Marseille.

Greetings from Norway

Knut

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, Knut

2./(F) 123 did not report any aircraft lost on 15.12.1941. Closest dates for losses reported to the GenQu are 9.12.1941 and 22.12.1941 in my records.

Regards,
Andreas B

[Frank Olynyk]

I have this in my files as happening on December 9, 1941, according to the squadron ORB, with a note "also 73 Sqn?", with the time as between 0900 and 1100.

F/O George Robert Arthur McGarel Johnston of 73 Sqn claimed a Ju-88 at 0830 hours, at Sidi Omar. His combat report is in Air 27/638-115. Because of the time difference, this could be two separate claims.

Frank.

[Brian Bines]

If the 9th is correct other sources show a claim for a JU88 shared with 73 and 274 Sqd's linked to loss of Ju88D2 of 2(F)/123 7A+AH (or +AN ?) 880826 FF Ltn. Bailer, B Fw. Blidau, Bf Uffz. Sporrer (umlaut over o) all missing . 2/(F)123 also lost 4U+FK linked to claim by 2 Sqd. SAAF the same day. Both Ju88 losses on Luft QM's report dated 17-12-1941.

[Mikkel Plannthin]

More on P/O Kühle here:
http://www.danishww2pilots.dk/profil...?alpha=v&id=52

My info on the JU88 being 2.(F)/123 is from Shores/Ring, Fighters over the Desert, p 75, but I acknowledge that this is a secondary source.

So does the info about him being downed by H-J Marseilles.

As always I would be interested in further information/corrections.

Mikkel

[byron-]

* FF. Ltn. Bailer, Ju 88 D2 (7A+AH, W.Nr. 880826 aus der 1( F) 121) 100% m. BO. Fw. Rudolf Bludau, BF. Uffz.Alois Sperrer, Gfr. Wille (Ln.Abtl. Afrika) abgeschossen von Hurricane 73 u. 274 Sq. 09.12.41 in Sidi Omar,
alle (+) ausser Ltn. Bailer der durch die Wüste entkam

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Byron
Excellent information!

Might I ask about the source of your information? The reason being only curiosity and not because I doubt the information.

Regards

Mikkel

[byron-]

Charles Ambusson`s "Les yeux de Kesselring 2.(F) 123".

[Knut Larsson]

Hi guys

Thank you very much all for clearing up correct date 9th Dec 1941 regarding this incident. Also mentioned here is that the Ju 88 was from 1.(F)/AGr 121 and not 2.(F)/AGr 123 thanks to Byron.

However Anders you mentioned that 2.(F)/AGr 123 also had a loss on 9th Dec 1942 in your records. Was it another time and another Ju 88 ?

Greetings from Norway


Knut

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi,

losses listed as follwos by GenQu:

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=141353

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=141355

With regards to the aircraft being from 121, it is defintely stated in the document Byron refers to, but the 123 regarded it as their aircraft. In other examples, if an aircraft was on strength of one unit and the crew from another there will be two loss records crossreferenced. So maybe the aircraft was recently transferred from 121 to 123. But who really cares ;-)

Regards,
Andreas B