Flak claims records Ruhr area May 1943 & November 1944?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

During the research of the NJWD 2n edition, I have unfortunately failed to find the Flak claims records (4. Flak Division) covering the Ruhr area for the months of May 1943 & November 1944. I do have a copy of the BA/MA file RL11/203, which lists the Abschuss confirmations of the 4. Flak Division for the period of 1940-March 1945, but both May 43 and November 44 are -regrettably- not listed in these records. In the hand-written Abschussfilme of NJ/TJ and Flak claims that were filed by the OKL/RLM and which I've completely analysed, both these months are missing too.

Who may be able to help me with locating these two missing months, and specifically with details of the Flak claims in the Ruhr area on the following nights:

-30.4/1.5.43 (Essen raid).
-4/5.5.43 (Dortmund raid).
-12/13.5.43 (Duisburg raid).
-13/14.5.43 (Plzen & Bochum raids).
-23/24.5.43 (Dortmund raid).
-25/26.5.43 (Düsseldorf raid).
-27/28.5.43 (Essen raid).
-29/30.5.43 (Barmen-Wuppertal raid).

-1/2.11.44 (Oberhausen raid).
-2/3.11.44 (Düsseldorf raid).
-4/5.11.44 (Bochum raid).
-6/7.11.44 (Mittelland Canal & Koblenz raids).
-21/22.11.44 (Castrop-Rauxel and Sterkrade-Holtrop raids).

Cheers and thanks a lot for any pointers/tips!

Theo

[Larry deZeng]

Theo B. -

Most regretably, I am unable to help. But I do have a question of my own.

Would you please describe the information provided in RL 11/203? Is this file just for the 4. Flak-Div.? Does RL 11 contain other files covering Flak victory claims and confirmations for all Flak units for all theaters for the entire war? Does the information provided give the date, Batterie or Abteilung, location, type of aircraft claimed, etc.? Some descriptive guidance would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Lary deZeng

[Theo Boiten]

Hi Larry,

The file contains entries for the 4. Flak Division Abschusmeldungen that were confirmed by the OKL/RLM, just over 40 pages long. Alas, the file is far from complete and does not give the times of the Abschüsse. Listed are: date - location of crash - type - Flak & Flak searchlight units involved - number of Abschusspunkte.

Cheers, Theo

[Larry deZeng]

Thanks, Theo, that's a help. I am interested in legible - hopefully typed - Flak material of that type so I have an alternative to those horrible Abschuss microfilms that are illegible in spots and handwritten in Sütterlin and other styles that are difficult or impossible to read. I imagine there are a few other files like this is RL 11 but nothing that's complete.

L.