Hungarian student pilot killed 3 October 1944

[Laurent Rizzotti]

An Hungarian man named Fereno Palmai is buried in Neuruppin. He died on 3 October 1944 and is marked as belonging to the operationnal training unit 2./JG Süd, based here.

I would like to have more details about this man and his death.

Thanks in advance

Laurent

[Dénes Bernád]

All I can tell you know (I am still at work), that his first (in Hungarian actually the last) name was Ferenc, or Ferencz (obsolete spelling). More later on, if I'll find data on him.

[Dénes Bernád]

Here is what the Volksbund on-line database has on him:

Nachname:Palmai Vorname:Fereno Dienstgrad:Leutnant Geburtsdatum:04.10.1922 Geburtsort: Todes-/Vermisstendatum:03.10.1944 Todesort:nicht verzeichnet

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Laurent,

Ferenc Pálmai was not a student, but a 2nd Lieutenant (ended the academy and was promoted on 6 December, 1943). He was a member of the Hungarian fighter ferry squadron and crashed with an Fw 190 at Werneuchen airfield because of engine trouble (and burned to death).

[Dénes Bernád]

Yes, 2nd Lt. Ferenc Pálmai was one of the two fatalities suffered by the squadron-strong Hungarian ferry unit, temporarily assigned to the Luftwaffe. They moved to Neuruppin a/f in August 1944, where they were retrained to Fw 190s.

Reportedly, in late 1944 the Hungarian-manned squadron was transferred to III./JG 11 and was planned to be employed in the Ardennes offensive flying Fw 190Fs. However, at the end, they did not see any combat and instead returned to Hungary, where they were re-equipped with Bf 109Gs and included in the 101. 'Puma' Fighter Wing.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks a lot to both of you,

I would be interested to know the Hungarian name of the ferry unit.

If I understand correctly, the unit at this time was no more ferrying aircraft but mainly training at Neuruppin, probably using instructors and aircraft from JG Süd.

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Laurent,

I think it was known as 102/3 V.Szd. It was re-designated 101/9 V.Szd on 15Jan45

Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Laurent,

I have a photo of Pálmai as well, if you need (and many other details too)

Andy,

it was never called as 102/3. vadászszázad.

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Csaba,

Thanks for clarifying that, I wasn't 100% sure if it was actually known as 102/3 vadászszázad.