Josef Groten of Sturmstaffel 1

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

Can anybody please tell me if Fw Josef Groten of JG 3's Sturmstaffel 1(born 30th October 1916) and survived the war, was the same Guy as Gefr Josef Groten of 3./LG 1 who claimed a Polish PZL-24 on 3rd September 1939 0803 hrs 2000 metres.

Grateful for any assistance.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[KrisJG3]

I also wonder this question:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...&highlight=jg3
so maybe somebody can confirm ?

Kris

[Stormfighter]

Johannes,

As a long-time researcher of Sturmstaffel 1, I can verify that Gefreiter Josef "Jupp" Groten, who shot down a Polish PZL-24 on 3 September 1939, was the same pilot who was reported as missing on 3 March 1945 when he was serving with the I./J.G. 3 and held the rank of Feldwebel. Groten was either shot down and bailed out, made a belly landing, or his aircraft had a mechanical issue that forced him to bail out or make a belly landing. If I had to guess, I think his Me 109 was struck by machine gun fire from a Russian fighter, forcing him to bail out near Freienwalde/Stargard. Groten fled westward on foot and was eventually taken into American captivity. I was in contact with Groten's wife, who gave me details about her husband's military service; she also gave me his Soldbuch, which is one of my most treasured Soldbücher in my collection.

Barry

[Monaco]

One soviet fighter claim in the area was:
On 03.03.45 Kap. Vasiliy Martionovich Beyzak (11+2) of Yak-3-equipped 133 IAP (234 IAD, 6 IAK, 16 VA, 1 Belorussian Front) was credited with 1 Bf.109 s/d over Regenfelde for personal victory No.10.

[KrisJG3]

how correctly write his name in russian language ?


On 03.03.45 Kap. Vasiliy Martionovich Beyzak (11+2) of Yak-3-equipped 133 IAP (234 IAD, 6 IAK, 16 VA, 1 Belorussian Front) was credited with 1 Bf.109 s/d over Regenfelde for personal victory No.10.

[Johannes]

Hi Barry

Many thanks for your reply. Seems we have stimulated a little interest.

May I ask please what unit details including training Groten's Soldbücher has, and also what was his date of death.

Kind Regards

Johannes