Loss of Me 109 “White 33” in late April 1945

[Blücher]

Hi everybody,

I’m looking for details regarding the loss of a Me 109 in the area of Burgau, Germany in late April 1945.

The town of Burgau is located just some kilometers southwest of Dillingen, Germany where the 12th Armored Division established a bridgehead across the River Danube on April 22, 1945.

Below you will find some photos of the wreck which were taken by members of the 12th Armored Division. It seems the 109 was “coded” ‘White 33’.

Does anyone has further details on the loss of this particular bird?

Any help appreciated!

Best regards,

Michael

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Thanks for the interesting pics you picked up, Blücher. Any original source ?

As for the machine itself, it seems to be either an old Bf 109 G-6 or a G-14. As for the unit, it might well be a training unit (EJG 1 or one of the JG 1xx units).

Cheers
Marc

[Blücher]

Hi Marc,

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I don’t know the name of the soldier who took these photos. The original files however can be found in the archives of the 12th Armored Division memorial museum in Abilene, Texas.

After a rapid advance into the heart of southern Germany, elements of the 12th Armored Division, 7th US Army, captured an intact concrete bridge across the River Danube at the town of Dillingen on April 22, 1945. For all I know the bridge at Dillingen was the only intact concrete bridge across the river between Ulm and Passau, and therefore a vital supply route for a fast rush towards the “southern redoubt”.

Several German attempts were made to destroy the bridge. Not a single one however was successful.

Attached to this post you will find the Scoreboard from the 572nd AAA AW Bn’s unit history. The 572nd was attached to the 12th Armored Division during the entire war and in late April 1945 the battalion was ordered to defend the Dillingen Bridge against attacks from the air. As you see in the list the Luftwaffe was quite active in the area of Dillingen after the bridge was captured.

I suspect the Me 109 found at Burgau might have been one of the Category II kills listed in the document. This however is just a speculation.

Best regards,

Michael

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Thanks Michael, for your information update. Hopefully one of the members here will have an insight as to which unit "Weisse 33" belonged by the end of April 45....

Cheers
Marc

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi,

The Luftwaffe units flying against the Dillingen bridgehead included I. and III./J.G. 27, E.J.G. 1, III. and IV./J.G. 53 and II./J.G. 300. Given the high numeral code, perhaps this was an aircraft from E.J.G. 1?

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com

[Blücher]

Hi Marc, Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your posts. I appreciate your highly interesting replies very much!

Best regards,

Michael

[Marc-André Haldimann]

Michael,

You're most welcome. Andy, thanks for your precisions. I would concur for 1./EJG 1 until evidence of the contrary.

Cheers
Marc

[Frans A]

Michael,
I have an Ofw. Hans Jegg of 9./JG 53 KIA 45-04-24 at Dillingen.
Is that may be the man you are looking for ?
Frans A

[Blücher]

Hi Frans,

Thanks for the details regarding the death of Ofw. Jegg at Dillingen. Mr Jegg might be the pilot I’m looking for.
However, according to the Scoreboard of the 572nd AAA AW Bn about seven aircraft were shot down near Dillingen on April 24, 1945.
I think Mr Jegg might as well have been the pilot of any of these aircraft.

Best regards,

Michael

P.S.: In order to get a better understanding of the distance from Dillingen to Burgau you will find a small map of the area below:

[RT]

24 4 45 13 EJG1 Dillingen/Donau südostw, A FJ amer, BF109G-6 100 x Rubinke ernst fw

Rémi